Thursday, February 16, 2012

Penelope Williamson -- Keeper of the Dream

Rated: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ .   {4.50}
Action: ♠♠♠. / Emotion: ♣♣♣♣♣ / Romance: ♥♥♥ / Sensuous: ♦♦ / Suspense: ♠♠♠
Action: 3.5 / Emotion: 5 / Romance: 3.75 / Sensuous: 2 / Suspense: 3 // Medieval Flavor: 4.75 / Laughter: 9 / Tears: 7

  1992 RITA® -- Single Title Historical
  1992-93 RT Reviewers' Choice -- Medieval Romance
  Desert Island Keeper -- All About Romance

First time to read a book penned by Penelope Williamson.   Decided to read one of P.W.'s books after enjoying The Outcast, a movie based on her novel.   Keeper of the Dream is one of those books that introduces a hero and heroine that jumps into the reader's heart and mind and will not leave one in peace until every last layer of their personality and, eventually, their happily-ever-after has been revealed in glorious, glowing, vivid detail.

It is no surprise that Lady Arianna Gwynedd is a self-confident, sure of her place in the world, independent, stubborn, determined heroine.   First, she is the only daughter of Prince Owain of Gwynedd (a man who rules his people and his family with confidence, is hard, yet fair, is ruthless when he has to be and there is nothing he would not do for Wales and the dream of freedom (including give his daughter in marriage to an invading Norman to bring peace)).   Second, she has grown up attempting to mimic the daring feats and athletic skills of nine brothers -- nine brothers who are as protective of their only sister as she is of them.   (As in, she accepts responsibility for a brother's mishap because her punishment is less severe than theirs would be.)   Third, she grew up in a safe, secure home by parents, who demonstrated the happiness that can be had in a marriage when a man loves his wife as much as she loves her husband.   Fourth, it is obvious that she has been just as valued as her brothers since she does not fear retribution for expressing and showing her opinion on any matter brought to her attention.

It is the hero, however, that is the most compelling of all the characters in the book.   Sir Raine the Bastard, The Black Dragon, knight to King Henry II, was the illegitimate son of an evil, hard-hearted, wealthy, powerful man -- the Earl of Chester.   His childhood was as black as Arianna's was white.   No one lifted a finger to raise him out of the ugly mire that was his life.   Raine, by sheer determination and perseverance, rose from being the stable boy to a father who not only refused to acknowledge him, but would beat him black and blue if he asked for affirmation as the Earl's son, to become the king's best and most accomplished knight.

It is down right impossible not to admire a man whose entire life has forced him to become cynical and not believe in the magic of love and dreams, yet exhibit the honorable attributes of a knight -- to have a kind heart under a veneer of steel.   Each heart-breaking incident in Raine's life has taught him that life is going to kick him when he is down and reward the unworthy.   Raine has perfected the art of showing no emotion, having learned that he must never let anybody see how much something means to him, least it be taken away.

Driven by a consuming desire to have his own lands and a title, Raine captures Rhuddlan, a castle belonging to Ceidro Gwynedd, son to Prince Owain -- a castle he has coveted since it was the location of his most brutal betrayal at the hands of his father.   Raine's hopes of being awarded Rhuddlan for his service to King Henry are dashed when his "so-very-legitimate" half brother; Hugh, now the Earl of Chester, claims Rhuddlan as his.

It is so very easy to detest the sight of Hugh, a man who has been handed everything in life without having to lift a finger -- a man who feels he is entitled to everything he wants.   Raine has to be extremely diligent about betraying no interest in anything when in Hugh's company, because Hugh takes great delight in making sure he doesn't get it.   The love-hate relationship between these half brothers is very complex and extremely difficult to understand.   Although P.W. did not give readers a picture of the relationship between the two half-brothers as they were growing up at Chester, it soon becomes obvious why the greedy, self-centered, self-serving Hugh went to extra lengths to take away anything Raine desired.

P.W. spent a lot of time vividly describing Hugh's perfect tresses, shining accouterments and pristine apparel whenever he arrived on scene, leaving no doubt that Hugh is more concerned with appearances, wielding his power and wealth than performing his honorable knightly duties.   And Hugh had the knack for showing up at the wrong time and the wrong place whenever Raine was about to take another step forward in gaining his heart's desires, to throw a wrench in the works.   Almost groaned in empathy each time Hugh showed up, thinking "for Pete's sake, give the guy a break already!"

Could almost feel sympathy for Hugh, however, when met his ethereally beautiful wife, Sybil.   Thought it was very clever of P.W. to lead readers to believe that Hugh's wife was a haranguing nag, when he described his wife as he attempted to rape Arianna after Rhuddlan was captured.   (Hugh took what he wanted -- he wanted Arianna.)   Although she did not appear as often as Hugh, Sybil greatly added to the difficulties and misunderstandings that were the key to the storyline of the book.   Sybil took no pains to hide the fact that she loved Raine.   When Arianna was sitting in the stands waiting for the King's tournament to begin, the Norman harpies wasted no time pitching their voices so that the gossip about Sybil and Raine reached her ears.

P.W. even gave Sybil a point of view voice in the book.   Sybil was P.W.'s example of what true love was not.   Even though Sybil seemed to have a kind nature and bore more jealously and envy than animosity towards the little Welsh princess who was Raine's wife, she did not posses the strength of character to fight for the man she loved.   (Another example of how being born to a rich powerful family, being given everything you wanted without having to work and struggle for it, left one without the fortitude necessary to fight for love.)   Instead, Sybil, like Hugh, seemed to show up like the proverbial bad apple, and added to the constant turmoil in Raine and Arianna's struggle for happiness.

In fact, the constant turmoil and misunderstandings grew to gigantic proportions.   And even though it was understandable that it would take more than one incident to prove to the jaded, cynical Black Dragon that one person in his life would remain loyal and trustworthy, the book began to feel too long -- there was too much conflict.   However, each scene was well-written, engrossing and added to the rich flavor of the story -- could not imagine asking an editor to cut out one single scene in the book.

There were three more intriguing threads interwoven into Raine and Arianna's story of a timeless love: {1} magic, {2} Taliesin, and {3} the history of the Welsh.   After reading the "Author's Note" (at the end of the book), it became obvious why P.W. featured magic in this Wales-based book.   As the story progressed, Raine and Arianna, both, sensed a timelessness to their passion for each other.   They were drawn to each other despite their very volatile, hate-filled introduction.

For those who enjoy the inclusion of historical details in Historical Romances, Keeper of the Dream will not disappoint.   It is obvious the author did plenty of research about the history, customs, and beliefs of the Welsh (who called themselves Cymry).   Welsh beliefs enabled a Welshman (or woman) to pledge allegiance to a Norman (or Saxon) and feel there was no dishonor in breaking that vow, simply because such vow was not made to a fellow Welshman.   Naturally, this is going to add to the magnitude of the struggles between Arianna and Raine because Arianna was so steeped in the Welsh belief system, that she felt no dishonor when she made a vow to Raine that she had no intention of keeping -- after all, she was a Welshman trying to outwit a Norman.

Then there is the magic that is Taliesin -- a character who played a very intricate role in Raine and Arianna's story.   Two years before the book opened, Taliesin (in the guise of a withered old bard) presented to Arianna, a seer, a golden mazer that once belonged to Myrddin, the greatest magician and seer who ever lived.   The visions Arianna sees in the water of the golden mazer reveal numerous incidents about Raine, including several from his childhood that evoke sympathy and understanding for the great warrior, who was once a wounded little boy.

Taliesin, the wonderful, witty, fun, enchanting, marvelously-written character featured in Keeper of the Dream has spent the last two years serving as the Black Dragon's squire.   An irreverent, constantly disappearing squire.   P.W. did a phenomenal job of creating a character who adds much magic, interest, humor and depth to a timeless love story.   Even though Taliesin's magical abilities add to the drama and flair of the story, it is the well-written, clever dialogue that comes with Taliesin's appearances that make the book such a joy to read.   Here is an example of P.W.'s ability to produce laughter as Taliesin avoids admitting culpability:

... it was Taliesin who burst through the door, shouting.   "Come quickly, my lady!   He is sorely wounded."

Arianna's knees crumbled, and she had to grasp the bedpost for support.   "W-where is he?"

"In the stables.   I fear he is dying."

She ran into the antechamber where the chatelaine's bag of herbs and balms was kept, along with the spice chest and penny barrels.   Why had they left him in the stables?   He must be so badly wounded they were afraid to move him.   God . . . her fingers scraped with desperate haste on the lock.   Dying.   Raine was dying.   Damn him, he couldn't leave her now when she had just barely gotten to know him.   When there was so much left unfinished between them.

Clutching the medicine bag tightly to her chest, she hurried back to the squire.   "What has happened to him?"

"It's his hindquarters, my lady.   They were hurling firepots down on us from a mangonel, and balls of burning pitch.   One struck his hindquarters, setting his tail afire.   He's sorely burned, my lady."

"His tail afire?   Arianna flung the bag onto the bed and seized the boy by his slender shoulders, shaking him so hard his teeth rattled.   "It's not Raine who's wounded, it's his cursed horse!"

He stared at her with wide, innocent eyes.   "Did I not say so?

"Nay, you did not say so," she said through gritted teeth, giving him another rough shake.   "You deliberately misled me!"

A smug grin swept across his face.   . . .
There were a few other supporting characters that added interest to the story.   These characters were not richly developed, because although they played key roles in the progress of the story, they remained in the background.   Would have enjoyed seeing and learning more about: {1} Sir Odo, Raine's second in command, a big knight with a kind heart who was always taking in strays; {2} Prince Owain of Gwynedd: Arianna's father; and {3} Cristyn of Gwynedd: Arianna's mother.   (Loved the scene that involved Owain, Raine, Cristyn, Arianna and the moat.)

Four other characters added depth to the plot.   Two of Arianna's cousins were present at her wedding and were resistant to pledging allegiance to Raine, the new Lord of Rhuddlan: {1} Kilydd ap Dafydd, castellan of the neighboring cantrefi of Rhos, and {2} Ivor ap Gruffyd, castellan of cantrefi of Rhufoniog.   The two barely-developed cousins were integral parts of the story, used to give readers a glimpse into the mindset of the Welsh, and give Raine an opportunity to prove himself as a hard, but fair man, fully capable of ruling Rhuddlan.   The third was Arianna's fourteen-year-old brother, Rhodri, who was left at Rhuddlan as a hostage to promote Prince Owain's compliance with the peace negotiations.   Although Rhodri stayed mostly in the background, he too, also played a vital role in helping to prove to Raine that Arianna was honorable and loyal to him.   The fourth interesting, but stayed in the background character was Christina, a merchant's daughter, who fell in love with Kilydd, and embroiled Arianna in their schemes.

To summarize, Keeper of the Dream by Penelope Williamson is a wonderfully well-written novel that would readily recommend to any lover of Historical Romance books, particularly those fascinated by the Welsh people and their long history of believing in magic and love everlasting.   It features: {1} Raine, one of the most strong, determined, adversity-overcoming heros who ever graced the pages of a book.   He is a gorgeous hunk of masculinity who is strong enough to go toe-to-toe with {2} Arianna, the intelligent, strong-willed, beautiful, 'determined not to back down,' honorable and loyal heroine.   {3} Taliesin, a charming, fun, magical character that is deeply integral in helping Raine and Arianna get to their happily-ever-after.   {4} Plenty of action and adventure featuring Raine's skills as a warrior that fills the 'knight in shining armor' role that appeals to medieval romance readers.   {5} A deep emotional connection to the characters in the book that results in both laughter and tears.   {6} A feeling of suspense permeates the entire twisting and turning story because the reader is never sure if Raine and Arianna are going to reach their happily-ever-after in this life or the next.   {7} A constant bombardment of magical events that adds to the drama and romance of a love so strong it has no end.   {8} Several intriguing, richly-developed supporting characters.   {9} Historically accurate tidbits about the life and customs of the Welsh interwoven in the fabric of the story.   {10} A startling, action-packed, character-revealing finale, followed by {11} a cute, smile-inducing epilogue featuring the ever-engaging Taliesin.
--Vonda M. Reid   (Wednesday; February 15, 2012 : 3:04 p.m.)   [214]

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Keeper of the Dream Quotations:
16"The men in her family were always ordering her about, and she was always ignoring them."
66"You were supposed to . . . to like her . . . "
67". . .   Emotions brought you pain and trouble; . . ."
73"It was his experience that there was no honor anywhere."
417"He had trusted her with his heart and now he was hurting again, and this time the pain was unbearable, and it was all her fault.   Somehow she had wormed her way in under all his careful armor, she had made him start caring about things again, even though he knew better.   Start caring, even the least little bit, and he knew he was just asking for a kick in the guts."
419"I cannot bear this . . . God must end this right now, for I cannot bear it."
419"Grief was endless, she knew that now.   It didn't stop, it just went on and on and on."
420"Love always hurts, my lady.   Even at its most wondrous there is that sweet agony underneath -- the knowledge that to risk loving, is to risk losing and hurting."
421"Something had broken inside of him.   His face had shattered, his eyes bled pain.   He could hide nothing from her anymore.   He stood naked before her, down to his soul."
424"it wasn't necessary to have faith, only to pray and that God would heed the words."

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Characters Found In "Keeper of the Dream"
Character / Location Description / Relationships
Sir Raine the Bastard
The Black Dragon
Lord of Rhuddlan

Rhuddlan Castle, Wales
[Hero] (1) flint-gray eyes (1) face bore no expression (2) base-born result of a union between the powerful Earl of Chester and a castle whore; knight-errant, without land, supported himself by ransoming prisoners taken in tournaments and wars, and sold himself and his army to the highest bidder; ruthless in battle; merciless in victory; said to have supernatural prowess with the sword and lance; banner: black dragon on red field (8) ruthless determination on hard mouth (11) ambitious: desired title, land, and power (24) intimidated most men; had few close friends (55) patience formidable, cultivated after years of bitter experience (58) self control; 25-y-o (67) always short of money; won fortunes in wars and tournaments; chivalric code demanded extravagance, money trickled through his fingers like water (68) cynical; barely believed in his code of a knight that he lived by (72) sinew of lean, hard muscled thighs (79) sun-browned skin of hard, ruthless face; purposeful, long-legged stride; sauntering sway of lean hips; sharp bones to his predatory nose; high cheekbones (80) impassive face; appeared indifferent (84) fought with grace and power, controlled, flawlessly executed violence (110) hands marred by calluses and scars, browned by the sun, hands of nobleman, long, fine-boned, strangely graceful (129) body of a warrior, brown, battered, brawny; scarred, gruesome puckered one on his shoulder, angry red welt wrapped around his waist (155) tone of quiet command in his voice (175) back strapped with muscle (176) hard, yet fair; brave; never boasts; at heart the chivalrous knight; steadfast in his honor and loyalty; generous to those less fortunate; can be gentle and tender (264)
Lady Arianna Gwynedd
Rhuddlan Castle, Wales
[Heroine] (3) fat brown braid; wore ancient seer's torque around neck; could not summon visions, they came rarely and unexpectedly (3) Gwynedd temper; Prince's daughter (4) Gwynedd features: pointed chin, sharp cheekbones, wide-spaced sea-foam eyes; 19-y-o (4) of the House of Cunedda (5) attempted to mimic daring feats and athletic skills of nine brothers (10) a pointed, sharp-bones face; eyes the dusky color of the sea on a wintry day (24) striking (29) small, uptilted breasts (59) wide, expressive mouth; very full lips (60) slim hips; long legs (66) slim-hipped; long-legged (66) breeding in elegant bones of her face; delicate white hands that had never toiled in the hot sun; arrogant tilt of head and chin from lifetime of ruling; beautiful; worth her weight in gold (68) gold and red threaded through darker sable-brown hair (96) courageous; honorable; dutiful (153) core of iron; self-contained; hard and endurable (385)
. . .. . .
Dame Beatrix
Rhuddlan Castle, Wales
[Rare Appearances] midwife; middle years; slab-jawed; nose hooked like an eel pole; little slits for eyes (307)
Roger de Bessin
Rhuddlan Castle, Wales
[Actual Historical Character / One Appearance] one of Matilda's favorite barons awarded Rhuddlan (172)
Bishop of St. Asaph
Rhuddlan Castle, Wales
[One Appearance] presided over marriage; gray, wizened visage (126)
old Earl of Chester
[No Appearance] Raine's father // switched sides in war between Stephen and Matilda; gave up his son as hostage when lost Rhuddlan (172) hair the color of ravens; tall; broad; hard-faced (204)
Hugh, Earl of Chester
Chester, England
(across the border from Wales)
[Major Secondary Character] had a love-hate relationship with his half-brother // Raine's so-very-legitimate half brother; ruler of a good part of England; man who had everything Raine wanted; silvered coat of mail sparkled like newly minted coins; rode cream-white palfrey; accoutered with a gilded saddle and breastplate decorated with jingling bells (25) cornflower-blue eyes (28) thick curls the color of burnished gold (30) discovered things that were important to Raine and made sure they were denied him (31) too powerful a baron for the King to deny (32) fine lines radiated around his eyes; skin below his cheekbones looked sallow (37) small tick at corner of right eye indicated nervousness (73) hair shown almost as brightly as his armor, curled the locks in a press to get them to coil precisely over his shoulders (104) white, smooth, ring-laden hands; nails chewed to the quick (133) jaded; profane (137)
Sybil, Lady of Chester
Chester, England
(across the border from Wales)
[Major Secondary Character] Hugh's wife; spent the entire book pining after Raine, telling him how much she still loved him // timid as a hedge hen (37) Raine had once loved; pale blond hair; married 6 years (41) pale gold hair, the color of the hottest sun (94) hair so blond, it was more silver than gold; fair and pale; very dainty; epitome of the feminine ideal (98) small ankles; pure white skin (138) lavender-blue eyes (139) 27-y-o; barren (341)
Christina
Rhuddlan Village, Wales
[Secondary Character] Merchant's daughter; in love with Kilydd ap Dafydd // butter-yellow hair; doe-brown eyes; only child of town draper, who died over a year ago (97) inherited and running her father's business; pure Saxon blood; hated Normans (98)
Kilydd ap Dafydd
Wales
[Secondary Character] Arianna's cousin; stole Rhuddlan's cattle; would swear the false 'Welsh' allegiance to new Lord of Rhuddlan // castellan of neighboring cantrefi of Rhos (117) tall; whip lean; skin bronzed by the sun and tawny hair docked in front like a priest's (116) roguish, risk-taking (118) warm gold eyes to match his hair, the color of summer honey; beard-roughened cheeks; drooping Welsh mustache (135) son of Arianna's mother's brother (246) handsome; flowing blond mustaches; soft, golden eyes; spitefulness in him; cravenness (428)
Edith
Rhuddlan Castle, Wales
[Secondary Character] Arianna's ladies maid (77) bovine smile; round, poxed face; small, squinty eyes like squash seeds; wren-brown hair that hung in strings over her bony shoulders (78)
Ivor ap Gruffyd
Rhuddlan Castle, Wales
[Secondary Character] Arianna's cousin; stole Rhuddlan's cattle; would swear the false 'Welsh' allegiance to new Lord of Rhuddlan // castellan of neighboring cantrefi of Rhufoniog (117) older, middle-aged, with meaty shoulders and thick thighs corded like barrels; long metal-gray hair that hung lanky about his shoulders (117) shaped like a squat ale keg; tiny, dark unblinking eyes, like olive pits (134) beard-roughened cheeks; drooping Welsh mustache (135) killed one brother, blinded another so might rule Rhufoniog (231)
Ceidro Gwynedd
Rhuddlan Castle, Wales
[Brief Appearance] Arianna's brother; lived at Rhuddlan Castle; just lost wife and child to childbed // Gwynedd temper; Prince's son (4) thin, beardless face; Gwynedd features: pointed chin, sharp cheekbones, wide-spaced sea-foam eyes; 20-y-o (4) gentle nature (9)
Cynan Gwynedd
Wales
[Brief Appearance] Arianna's brother (372) green sea-foam eyes (462)
Cristyn of Gwynedd
Dinas Emrys, Wales
[Brief Appearance] Arianna's mother (273) laugh tinkled like silver chimes (274) Owain was the sun of her world (275) small pointed chin; small; slender (277) married 25 years (281)
Prince Owain of Gwynedd
Dinas Emrys, Wales
[Important Secondary Character] Arianna's father; awarded his daughter, Arianna, to the new Lord of Rhuddlan in peace negotiations with King Henry // confident in his ability to rule; conscious always of the motive and actions of those around him (107) big man; gray-streaked hair fell unbound around his shoulders; stern, forbidding lines in his warrior's face (263) thick drooping mustache (264) hard, yet fair; brave; never boasts; at heart the chivalrous knight; steadfast in his honor and loyalty; generous to those less fortunate; can be gentle and tender (264) hard; practical; ruthless when he had to be; nothing he would not do for Wales and the dream of freedom (265) late fifties; face shaped like a rache hound's, long and thin-bones and scored by lines; gray streaked his flowing brown hair; drooping mustaches; Welsh word for color of eyes "glas" neither green nor silver nor blue, but a little of all three (266)
Rhodri of Gwynedd
Rhuddlan Castle, Wales
[Secondary Character] Arianna's younger brother; being held at Rhuddlan Castle as a 'hostage' to keep his father compliant with peace negotiations // 14-y-o; Gwynedd features; eyes several shades paler than Arianna's, color of baby ferns; hair a lighter brown, tipped golden by the sun; all skinny arms and legs (86) pale green eyes; made second squire to Lord of Rhuddlan (164)
Hamo
[One Appearance] rat catcher at the Crooked Staff (467)
King Henry
England
[Actual Historical Character / Important Secondary Character] Raine's liege lord // young monarch; freckles stood out like ink marks above his red beard; protruding gray eyes; ruddy color; large, coarse hands (44) long, muscular arms; deep chest, belly showing slight tendency to swell with fat (71) bandy legs; temper always sputtered and flared like a guttering candle (72) fascination with the law (73) preferred plain speaking (74) married to one of most beautiful women in Christendom; reputation for straying; stamp of power on his square, freckled face; confident in his ability to rule; conscious always of the motive and actions of those around him; beard (107)
Merfyn ap Hywell
[No Appearance] had herd of sheep that Owain wants to steal (276)
Madog
Rhuddlan Castle, Wales
[One Appearance] Arianna's cousin; let Ceidro and Arianna know that the army outside the walls of Rhuddlan Castle demanded their surrender // big hands; thick lips beneath drooping mustache (6) hulking shoulders (7) broad back (8)
Maud
[Brief Appearances] cinnamon-haired wench Raine bedded during the week of negotiations (90)
Myrddin
aka: Merlin
[Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] the greatest magician and seer who ever lived; Taliesin (in guise of old bard) presented golden mazer that once belonged Myrddin to Arianna two years ago
Sir Odo
Rhuddlan Castle, Wales
[Secondary Character] Raine's second in command; gnarled and pitted face; big knight (26) a kind heart; always taking in strays (27) big sorrowful brown eyes (28) big, shaggy head (29) big arms (30) made bailiff of Rhuddlan (165) gap between his two front teeth (166) thick, knotty fingers (168) shaggy brows (248)
Lord of Powys
[Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] Welsh story about Norman husband killing his wife when she warned her father Lord of Powys about her husband's attack
Ralph
Rhuddlan Castle, Wales
[One Appearance] cowherd; Lord of Misrule (347)
Reynold
Rhuddlan Castle, Wales
[Brief Appearances] Raine hired him to build his new castle // master mason from Chester; built like a haystack, round and squat; tools of trade hung from his belt; wheezy breath from years of inhaling stone dust (309) pale, washed-out blue eyes of a winter's sky (310)
Nesta of Rhuddlan
Rhuddlan Castle, Wales
[Secondary Character] Raine and Arianna's daughter; rosy skin; a heart-shaped face; father's black as sin hair (367)
Simon
Rhuddlan Castle, Wales
[One Appearance] Jewish moneylender // fat; bandy legs; waddled; richly dressed; sported fancy beard that had been waxes and tufted and then interwove with gold threads; pointed yellow hat, alone with big circle of saffron-colored cloth sewn on his breast, marked him as a Jew (286) breath smelled sweet, of fennel seeds; god in his teeth (287) moneylender (288)
Taliesin
[Major Secondary Character] Was a timeless magi; posed as an old bard and as Raine's squire; his mission (apparently from the goddesses) was to make sure that Raine and Arianna passed the tests put before them to find their love forevermore // Raine's squire; served Raine for 2 years (7) 17-y-o; russet-colored hair (32) skin as fair as a girls; beautiful smile (33) fair skin; dark red brows on his forehead looked like cuts; sloe-black eyes glinted with a strange, shimmering light (44) smooth, athletic grace (45) a Welsh bard (46) slender back; thin waist; narrow hips; lanky legs (48) better poet than knight (56) very old man, all yellow-skinned with the barest wisps of white hair on his wizened skull (130)
Winnifred
[Actual Historical Saint / No Appearance] Raine recalled story about Welsh girl named Winnifred who was beheaded at well of Bassingwerk Abbey

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Penelope Williamson
        aka: Penn Williamson
        aka: Elizabeth Lambert
Comprehensive Booklist:
    ♣   Fantastic Fiction
Penelope Williamson Book List:
    ♠   FictionDB
Penn Williamson Book List:
    ♠   FictionDB
Elizabeth Lambert Book List:
    ♠   FictionDB

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Keeper of the Dream Reviews:
RatedPostedSiteNotes, Comments, Etc.
A07-20-1999All About RomanceDesert Island Keeper
4.62 average{42 reviews}Amazonas of: February 15, 2012
4.75 average{6 reviews}Barnes and Nobleas of: February 15, 2012
4.01{23 reviews}Good Readsas of: February 16 2012
3.29 average{21 reviews}Google . comas of: February 16, 2012 All reviews from Good Reads
4.375 average{4 reviews}Paperback Swapas of: February 16, 2012
3.30 average{10 reviews}Reader Storeas of: February 16, 2012 All reviews from Good Reads
4.50 average{4 reviews}Shelfarias of: February 16, 2012
5.0010-06-2009Slide Share . comalso on: Amazon
5.00 average{2 reviews}We Readas of: February 16, 2012
4.5002-16-2012Wolf Bear Does Booksshorter post on Amazon, Good Reads, Shelfari

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Notes:
♥  Disclaimer:   I Purchased This Book
♥  Very Subjective Rating
♥  Willing to share Cheat Sheet
    ♦  in whole or in part
    ♦  WordPerfect or PDF
♣  Will add your Keeper of the Dream review link to table, just ask

No comments:

Post a Comment