Genre: Historical romance
Copyright: June 2009
Pages: 320
Rating: 2
Synopsis: Far from England, alone for too long, Captain Jonathon Barry is captivated the instant he sees Jaline - she is too magnificent not to notice. There is a grace to her movements, an elegance to her bearing, that sets her apart even before she lifts her exotic black eyes or speaks. Her voice is intoxicating, soft as velvet with a sweet, lilting quality, as she recounts an evil bargain made against her will. She is to be his mistress, and he may do with her as he pleases. Jonathon is deeply torn, for Jaline is indeed his by right. She is only a slave, the prize he has won in a Constantinople gambling den. Trembling, bared to him, body and soul - oh no - he can see how cruelly she has been treated. It is clear that Jaline is in danger still and he may well be her only hope. Yet even a renegade like Jonathon would risk anything to save so beautiful a woman...and to love her, if she will let him.
My Review: This book, well there is nothing wrong with the author's writing, her imagination and her willingness to explore other lands. But I had a problem with this book, and that was the story itself.
Jonathon, the hero, buys Jaline, sure he does it to save her, but he sure wants her too. Am I supposed to root of for a man who buys himself a mistress? But he grew on me, because he loved her and it showed through out the book. This was a lovestory, at least from his point of view. From his part I truly saw it.
But then there was Jaline. The way she came in to the relationship telling him that ok if I must I will be your mistress, and her being a virgin and all. And she kept on saying that even though he made it clear he would not force her, and he was willing to let her go. Still she wanted to stay, and that is the point I do not get. Stay as a slave when she didn't even love him then? All the decisions she made in this book were strange, and one part was her unwilingness to tell him about his accident that we learnt about early on. That she had raced horses, I never understood why she couldn't just tell him.
So there you go, that is why I had problems with this book. When it came down to it all I geuss it was Jaline.
I am not telling you it was a bad book. No, I am sure many will be swept away with this book and the lovestory that slowy grows between these people. One who wants to love the other person, the other that is scared to be loved. It can be rather bittersweet.
Then there is the danger in the book, Jonathon buys excotic objects and now there seems to be someone after him, or is it after Jaline? The reader does not know for sure. There is some action, and a mystery concerning what really is going on.
I also liked that she started the book in Constantinople in the beginning, I like a romance novel that at lest to some parts takes place in another country, even if they later go to England. It gave more flavour to the book.
Some romance fans will love this concept, even if I didn't.
Copyright: June 2009
Pages: 320
Rating: 2
Synopsis: Far from England, alone for too long, Captain Jonathon Barry is captivated the instant he sees Jaline - she is too magnificent not to notice. There is a grace to her movements, an elegance to her bearing, that sets her apart even before she lifts her exotic black eyes or speaks. Her voice is intoxicating, soft as velvet with a sweet, lilting quality, as she recounts an evil bargain made against her will. She is to be his mistress, and he may do with her as he pleases. Jonathon is deeply torn, for Jaline is indeed his by right. She is only a slave, the prize he has won in a Constantinople gambling den. Trembling, bared to him, body and soul - oh no - he can see how cruelly she has been treated. It is clear that Jaline is in danger still and he may well be her only hope. Yet even a renegade like Jonathon would risk anything to save so beautiful a woman...and to love her, if she will let him.
My Review: This book, well there is nothing wrong with the author's writing, her imagination and her willingness to explore other lands. But I had a problem with this book, and that was the story itself.
Jonathon, the hero, buys Jaline, sure he does it to save her, but he sure wants her too. Am I supposed to root of for a man who buys himself a mistress? But he grew on me, because he loved her and it showed through out the book. This was a lovestory, at least from his point of view. From his part I truly saw it.
But then there was Jaline. The way she came in to the relationship telling him that ok if I must I will be your mistress, and her being a virgin and all. And she kept on saying that even though he made it clear he would not force her, and he was willing to let her go. Still she wanted to stay, and that is the point I do not get. Stay as a slave when she didn't even love him then? All the decisions she made in this book were strange, and one part was her unwilingness to tell him about his accident that we learnt about early on. That she had raced horses, I never understood why she couldn't just tell him.
So there you go, that is why I had problems with this book. When it came down to it all I geuss it was Jaline.
I am not telling you it was a bad book. No, I am sure many will be swept away with this book and the lovestory that slowy grows between these people. One who wants to love the other person, the other that is scared to be loved. It can be rather bittersweet.
Then there is the danger in the book, Jonathon buys excotic objects and now there seems to be someone after him, or is it after Jaline? The reader does not know for sure. There is some action, and a mystery concerning what really is going on.
I also liked that she started the book in Constantinople in the beginning, I like a romance novel that at lest to some parts takes place in another country, even if they later go to England. It gave more flavour to the book.
Some romance fans will love this concept, even if I didn't.
Visit Linda aka Blodeuedd at her blog Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell
11 comments:
You did a great job stating why you did not like this book but also giving reasons why another reader may like this book. I appreciate your balanced review! Great job!
Thanks Ibeeg :)
I mean I wanted to tell why it didn't work for me, but at the same time why it could work for others
That's an honest review.. =)
Lovely review B:
It's difficult when you have trouble liking a character in a book, but enjoy the overall story. I've had the same experience and got through it but sometime I wanted to scream ant the character. lol
Thanks for sharing B!
Oh, that is frustrating - I often have DNF books when I get so frustrated with a character.
The story sounds interesting but I think I would be frustrated too. I might have to read it just to find out why she was like that, LOL!
OH Blodeuedd... it does sounds interesting, but being frustrated does not help!
I agree with Patti... might have to read just to find out why!!
Hope all is well!
Thanks Darlyn
Sometimes you just have to tell it like it is,
Lea
Thanks. So true, I am a person that needs to like a character, cos even if it is an awesome story then something is still missing.
Chris,
Well I am glad it wasn't a DFN, it was still good, but with flaws.
Patti,
The best way to find out for yourself is truly to read it :)
Cecile
That is a good idea. Not to mention that I always feel a bit bad when I am a bit negative adn this book deserve some loving too
Great review and as always honest! :)
Am I supposed to root of for a man who buys himself a mistress?
I believe not. That would be really weird to applaud that. LOL.
Not sure if this sounds like one I would enjoy either...2 crowns?? Wowser...I only want to read 4 and 5 crown books this year! Thanks for the awesome review!
Nina,
It was very weird, but then I did like him more than her...but it was a concept that just didn't work for me.
Staci,
You're welcome :)
Oh, then I wont get many book ideas from me, I am a harsh critic
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