Denise Domning -- A Love For All Seasons

Rated: ♥ ♥ ♥ . ♥   {3.75}
Action: ♠♠♠.♠ / Emotion: ♣♣♣♣.♣ / Romance: ♥♥♥♥ / Sensuous: ♦♦ / Suspense: ♠♠♠♠
Action: 3.5 / Emotion: 4.75 / Romance: 4 / Sensuous: 2 / Suspense: 4 / Medieval Flavor: 5 / Humor: 3 / Tears: 6

When first started reading A Love For All Seasons, the fifth and last book of Denise Domning's The Graistan Chronicles, had a couple of issues with the book.   First, couldn't figure out how it was tied to the other books of the series since the hero was in no way tied to the other brothers of the series and second, did not like the writing style of telling the tale by jumping back and forth between the present and the past.   However, somewhere around chapter 9, the story had become so engrossing, was unable to put the book down.   Also, as the story progressed, it became apparent that alternating between the past and the present increased the suspense and interest in the book.

One other issue arose as read A Love For All Seasons.   How did Domning choose names for the characters?   Her use of repetitious names was a bit confusing.   Take the name Johanna.   Johanna was the name of the nursemaid for the heroine's newborn in book four, Autumn's Flame.   The logical assumption upon seeing the name Johanna again on the back cover of book five was that this was the nursemaid's story.   Then there was Theobald, the name of the heroine's step-son in Autumn's Flame, and also the name of villain's agent in A Love For All Seasons.   Would have preferred a different naming standard for the supporting characters of the books.

Johanna of Stanrudde was a difficult heroine to warm up to.   She was introduced as the miserable, bitter, husband-hating wife of the villain, Katel le Espicer.   Since Johanna's fourteen year old son, Peter, was now an apprentice in another household and her marriage was beyond miserable, she had decided to go live in the nearby convent.   Five months later, Johanna was wondering why Katel was dragging her back to Standrudde.   Johanna was shocked at the crowd of hungry that were gathered around the abbey.   A crowd that Katel intends to use to extract his vengeance against the hero and heroine that he has hated for twenty-odd years.

Katel was an amazingly well-developed villain.   He has spent his entire life as a mummer (actor).   Whenever there is an audience, Katel is all that is kind and generous, but behind closed doors, Katel is vindictively selfish and unkind.   He extracts retribution against any who dare to slight him in the least.   Because Katel is a failure as a businessman, Katel's plan for Johanna is to accuse her of adultery so he can gain control of his son's properties.

As in her other books, Domning displays her amazing talent as a writer who keeps her characters and storylines true to the medieval language and actions.   In the opening pages, she reveals Katel's callousness, Johanna's sympathy for others affected by Katel's malice, and the games that pass between Johanna and Katel in their hate-filled marriage.   As the story progresses, and it is obvious that Johanna has been the spoiled-rotten daughter of Walter the spice merchant, it is logical to wonder how in the world could such a compassionate man tie his only daughter to such a cruel man for life?

Walter did not want to hand his daughter over to Katel, but he had signed a contract with Katel's wealthy father years ago and could not find an honorable way to terminate the agreement.   He tried to help his daughter all he could by writing his will to keep Katel from hitting Johanna and from spending all Johanna's (and any resulting children's) inheritance.   Walter's compassionate nature was readily apparent throughout the book.   Walter took a battered child from his abusive father, recognized his skills and made that child an apprentice -- and came to love that child.   However, in a gut-wrenching, tear-filled scene he denigrated that same child to his daughter in his efforts to kill her love for him.   Such an honorable man spewing such lies made that particular scene beyond difficult to read.

Robert, the Grossier from Lynn, had spent the last sixteen years becoming wealthy.   Other merchants were parading their daughters before him, but he could not marry any of them because his heart and his vows were given to Johanna.   Before Johanna was forced to married Katel, Robert and Johanna had secretly spoken marriage vows.   Unlike Johanna who could easily tell a falsehood, Robert was a man of honor who believed his oath was binding.

Rob was in Stanrudde to confront the man who had stolen some of his seeds.   Rob did not go to the sheriff to report the theft because he loved the wife of the man who had taken his seeds.   Rob did not want to see Johanna hang for Katel's deeds.   Rob was staying with Colin, his old master and friend (now a monk in the abbey).   Colin has spent years living with the guilt of helping Walter, his friend and mentor, marry Johanna off to Katel.   Colin brings up the touchy subject when they hear the announcement to the crowd to make way for Katel le Espicer's wife.   One particular quote from Colin to Katel epitomizes the plot of the entire book:

"Best you beware.   One day, you will tangle yourself in the webs you spin, bringing your own downfall upon you.   I only pray I am there to witness it when you do."

What a web Katel spins.   He incites the hungry crowd to riot by selling some of those stolen seeds using the Grossier from Lynn's name and then failing to produce more seeds as promised.   After the mob burns part of the town, Rob is arrested and brought before Stanrudde's merchant's council.   A member of the council is Jehan, the Wool Merchant, whose mother is Alwyna (also mother to Temric of Summer's Storm).   And the pieces begin to fall into place.   Alwyna thinks she is seeing Henry of Graistan's ghost when she sees Robert.

Richard, Lord Meynell made a short, but noteworthy appearance in A Love For All Seasons.   The male camaraderie between Richard and Rob is reminiscent of the interaction between the other brothers of the series.

Katel had not counted on Rob being the bastard son of a man whose other sons honored any son of Henry of Graistan.   Thanks to Johanna's love for Rob and Alwyna's interference, and after some suspenseful finagling, Rob found his happily-ever-after with Johanna.   Although there was a sense of romance throughout the entire book, the sexual tension was slight because Johanna and Rob spent an inordinate amount of time apart during the path to true love.   In typical Domning style, when Rob and Johanna made love it was with sweet intensity (as befit the story) instead of heat and spice.

Denise Doming wrote another winner with A Love For All Seasons.   And although it took a while to tie the books together, it is a very unique story that adds to the series.   Would recommend this series to any lover of medieval romance.   It has been an entertaining adventure in reading.
--Vonda M. Reid (Thursday; February 3, 2011 : 1:33 p.m.)

♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦

Books In The Series: "The Graistan Chronicles"

#	Date	Book Title	Hero	Heroine
01.	02-1994	Winter's Heat	Rannulf FitzHenry, Lord of Graistan	Rowena "Wren" of Benfield
02.	08-1994	Summer's Storm	Richard "Temric" FitzHenry, Lord Meynell	Philippa of Lindhurst
03.	04-1995	Spring's Fury	Gilliam FitzHenry, Lord Ashby	Nicola "Colette" of Ashby
04.	11-1995	Autumn's Flame	Geoffrey FitzHenry, Lord Coudray	Elyssa of Freyne
05.	12-1996	A Love For All Seasons	Robert of Blacklea, Grossier of Lynn	Johanna of Stranrudde

Books Similar to "A Love For All Seasons"

Site	Author	Title	Series
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A Love For All Seasons Quotations:

131     . . . stared after them in the helpless confusion that affected all men when dealing with Eve's daughters and their emotions. . . .

211     . . . Too long had she been in the habit of concentrating on all that was bad in her life.   Aye, so deep had her belief in the negative been, she'd nearly died.   This morn she saw how much of what had happened yesterday was good. . . .

234     . . . wanted to believe that the Lord God would intercede on behalf of an innocent man, it was very difficult to hold onto that in the face of . . .

♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦

Denise Domning
♠  Website
♣  aka: Denise Hampton

Denise Domning Book List:
♠  Fantastic Fiction
♣  FictionDB

Denise Hampton Book List:
♠  Fantastic Fiction
♣  FictionDB

♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦

A Love For All Seasons Reviews:

Rated	Posted	Site	Notes, Comments, Etc.
4.50 average	{2 reviews}	Amazon	as of: 12-14-2010
3/5	11-28-2008	Aneca's World
3.27 average	{3 reviews}	Goodreads	as of: 12-14-2010
3.00 average	{2 ratings}	Shelfari	as of: 12-14-2010
3.75	02-14-2010	Wolf Bear Does Books

♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦

Notes:
♥  Disclaimer:  I purchased this book.
♥  Willing to share Cheat Sheet
    ♦  in whole or in part

    ♦  WordPerfect or PDF

♣  Will add your A Love For All Seasons review link to table, just ask

Denise Domning -- Autumn's Flame

Rated: ♥ ♥ ♥ . ♥   {3.85}
Action: ♠♠♠.♠ / Emotion: ♣♣♣♣.♣ / Romance: ♥♥♥♥ / Sensuous: ♦♦.♦ / Suspense: ♠♠♠.♠
Action: 3.25 / Emotion: 4.75 / Romance: 4 / Sensuous: 2.75 / Suspense: 3.75 / Medieval Flavor: 5 / Humor: 8 / Tears: 6

Really liked certain aspects of Autumn's Flame, the fourth book in Denise Domning's The Graistan Chronicles, even though it was not a book that was so engrossing that it couldn't be put down.   Although the hero and heroine were quick to capture interest because of their obvious great disenchantment with life, the empathy for them was not as strong as for the other characters in the series -- that is, until about two-thirds of way into the book.

Having read Autumn's Flame, immediately after finishing book three of the series (Spring's Fury) realized these two stories are happening around the same time frame.   Even though reading the books in sequence is preferable, each could stand on its own.

Interestingly enough the prologue of the book introduces a key secondary character, whose actions set into motion several suspenseful aspects of the plot.   Reginald of Freyne is a second son and has been serving as his brother's steward for twenty years.   It is so easy to understand Reginald's discontent at being treated with disregard and disrespect.   Reginald loves and serves Freyne, while his older brother, Aymer, Lord of Freyne, is more concerned about his sexual proclivities than his lands.   When Aymer is fatally injured during a boar hunt, Reginald's mind is tempted to consider murder when he hears Lord Gradinton tell Lord Lavendon they must act quickly and with subterfuge to secure Freyne into their keeping.   Reginald does not believe he can take orders from his "snot-nosed" nephew (who was following in his father's deviate footsteps), so he begins to plot for his rule of Freyne.

The heroine, Elyssa of Freyne, is a hot-tempered woman who has been married off to two disgusting men and hates being constantly under the rule of man -- any man.   She wants control of her own life.   Upon Aymer's death, Elyssa struggles to remain free of man's rule -- she petitions the court for custody of her son, Jocelyn.   Such custody is unlikely because Jocelyn is now the heir to Freyne, since Theobald (Aymer's elder son) died in a fall from his horse.   (The first suspenseful thought on hearing about Theobald's death, was: did Reginald kill his nephew?)

The twists and turns of the plot are introduced in chapter one.   {1} Elyssa is trying to keep her weak, intellectual, monastery-bound son, Jocelyn, from being married off to Lord Lavendon's daughter.   {2} Baldwin de Gradinton is striving to keep Freyne out of the sheriff's control.   {3} Gradinton hates the sheriff because he is the father of his granddaughter (his only living heir) and Gradinton is fighting for custody of the child.

Geoffrey FitzHenry, Lord Coudray, sheriff of the shire, arrives at Freyne to claim wardship of Jocelyn.   Geoffrey finds himself in the unhappy position of having to house Elyssa as well because she is with child and he is required to witness the birth of Freyne's heir.   He does not want the sharp-tongued woman trying to interfere with his efforts to train Jocelyn as a knight and to keep his daughter, Cecilia, safe from Gradinton.   Having already read about Jocelyn (in Spring's Fury), it was interesting to see how Jocelyn came to be Gilliam's squire.   Impressed with Domning's skill in telling Jocelyn's story in two separate books without overlap, yet revealing only pertinent details about Jocelyn that related to each FitzHenry's role in his story.

Reginald's plotting became even more complicated.   Since he is convinced that Jocelyn is too weak to withstand the training a knight must undertake, he must find a way to cause Elyssa to lose Aymer's second heir.   There is one other thing Reginald wants besides Freyne -- Clare as wife.   Reginald has fallen in love with Elyssa's poor cousin and companion of ten years, Clare, fourth daughter of William de Romeneye.   Clare, likewise, has fallen in love with Reginald and even though he is conflicted, she becomes his tool to try and accomplish his goal of becoming Lord of Freyne.

For two reasons identified more with the secondary, supporting character of Clare, than with the heroine.   One: have always played a supporting role to the "life of the party" personalities, having never had a heroine-type, "shine the spotlight on me" disposition.   Two: like Clare, am a member of the unhappily-ever-after community.   Clare's mini-love story was doomed.   Elyssa could not understand why Clare wanted to be married to a man and have a family, but another wallflower could easily see why.   For her entire life, Clare has been the over-looked, "no hope for a future" companion.   When Reginald vows his love for her, Clare receives her heart's greatest desire.   Domning's potent, emotional portrayal of Clare, a destitute medieval woman, was powerful.   Clare almost stole the show.

It probably didn't help that at first Elyssa appeared selfish and uncaring compared to Clare.   Elyssa's strong, independent character seemed harsh at times, but there was a genuine loving nature underneath.   Elyssa's love and kindness reached through to Geoffrey's daughter Cecilia.   Cecilia had been mute and unreachable since witnessing her mother, Maud, going mad and trying to kill her father.   Geoffrey's greatest fear was that people would label his daughter with Maud's madness so he allowed people to assume he was the devil incarnate.   Aristocrats and commoners, alike, would subtly shun Geoffrey because of the scar running down the side of his face and the patch covering his right eye -- injuries resulting from Maud's attack.

Geoffrey could not believe that he was attracted to the outspoken, opinionated Elyssa and even more amazed that she was not appalled by his scars.   Elyssa's beloved father (who had died when she was twelve) had a similar warrior's scar running down his face, so Elyssa was used to a damaged visage.   Domning portrayed Elyssa as a very sensual woman, who made no apologies for her desire.   And even though Elyssa loved the act itself, she fought tooth and nail against falling in love because of her strong stance on wanting to be an independent woman.

Domning made Elyssa seem very lifelike by attributing to her the typically feminine tendency towards vacillation because of her inner conflict.   She wanted her independence, yet she desired Geoffrey.   She didn't want Geoffrey to pursue her, yet was hurt when he did not.   The following passage reveals Geoffrey's remarkable courtship tactic -- why he didn't pursue her:

"You might have run to ground, and I'd never have pried you from your hiding place.   Nay, 'twas a siege I planned, willing to sit patiently outside your defenses waiting for you to starve."

There was a lot of strong sexual tension throughout the story, but it was not delivered in large doses.   However, Domning did a wonderful job with making the sensuality strong, spicy and vivid even though Geoffrey and Elyssa only make love once -- and that one time happened about twenty pages from the end of the book.   The scene was amazingly entertaining as Elyssa nearly seduced Geoffrey in full view of the wedding party.

Although Autumn's Flame was not full of rip-roaring action, it was peppered with enough action to keep readers content.   Domning wrote an amazingly detailed account of the battle scene during the siege of Freyne.   The suspense of how all the loose threads were going to be neatly snipped off or tied by the story's end was the one aspect that keep the reader tied to the story.   At times the plot seemed to lag as the day-to-day activities of medieval life were exposed, but found that Domning has done an incredible job of giving the reader a true flavor of medieval life in this series.   The conversations, the action, the feelings, all had the tone of twelfth century England.

Finally, liked the family reunion as the four FitzHenry brothers put aside their differences to unite and became a family once again.   Have always enjoyed getting to see the characters from the previous books and how their lives have progressed.   After having met all of Geoffrey's brothers and their wives and witnessing the love each shared, Elyssa looked at Geoffrey and said:

"They are all like you, every one of your brothers.   They cherish their wives." . . .   "How can there be four such men in the same family?"

Found it interesting that each FitzHenry brother in his book at first strove to make sure he would not love his spouse so that he would not find himself in the same potentially heartbreaking position as their father, Henry, who grieved so at the death of his beloved wife, Ermina.   Yet, they all found love with their wives.   As Geoffrey explained to Elyssa:

"For that, you must blame my parents.   I think none of us were willing to settle for less than the happiness my father found in my mother."

Readers who really enjoy medieval romances should read this book.   Although wouldn't strongly recommend Autumn's Flame as a stand-alone must read, it definitely is a must read as part of The Graistan Chronicles.
--Vonda M. Reid (Sunday; January 30, 2011 : 10:04 a.m.)

♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦

Books In The Series: "The Graistan Chronicles"

#	Date	Book Title	Hero	Heroine
01.	02-1994	Winter's Heat	Rannulf FitzHenry, Lord of Graistan	Rowena "Wren" of Benfield
02.	08-1994	Summer's Storm	Richard "Temric" FitzHenry, Lord Meynell	Philippa of Lindhurst
03.	04-1995	Spring's Fury	Gilliam FitzHenry, Lord Ashby	Nicola "Colette" of Ashby
04.	11-1995	Autumn's Flame	Geoffrey FitzHenry, Lord Coudray	Elyssa of Freyne
05.	12-1996	A Love For All Seasons	Robert of Blacklea, Grossier of Lynn	Johanna of Stranrudde

Books Similar to "Autumn's Flame"

Site	Author	Title	Series
01.ff	Mallory, Margaret . . . . . . . . . . .	Knight of Passion . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	03. All of The King's Men Trilogy {3}. . . . . .
db	{none listed} . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . .	. . .

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Autumn's Flame Quotations:

139     "I am tired of being strong," . . .

148     . . . A lifetime of doing naught but what was right and good for others, only to be repaid with crumbs and disrespect . . .

164     . . . she'd laid her own fears for her son onto his thin shoulders . . .

179     . . . why must you always worry over the future?   Your fears cheat you of ever enjoying the here and now.   Let it go. . . .

194     . . . We are too different, you and I.   Where I am content to let life's currents take me where they will, you plow through them, charting your own course."

271     . . . I do not know what I want." . . .

320     . . . Knowing he loves me no more is more than I can bear.   I cannot understand it, I can only feel it."

♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦

Denise Domning
♠  Website
♣  aka: Denise Hampton

Denise Domning Book List:
♠  Fantastic Fiction
♣  FictionDB

Denise Hampton Book List:
♠  Fantastic Fiction
♣  FictionDB

♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦

Autumn's Flame Reviews:

Rated	Posted	Site	Notes, Comments, Etc.
4.00 average	{2 reviews}	Amazon	as of: 02-14-2011
B+	04-08-2008	Aneca's World
4.06 average	{4 reviews}	Good Reads	as of: 02-14-2011
4.00 (one)	02-14-2011	Shelfari	as of: 02-14-2011 Vonda (Wolf Bear)
3.85	02-10-2010	Wolf Bear Does Books

♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦

Notes:
♥  Disclaimer:  I purchased this book.
♥  Willing to share Cheat Sheet
    ♦  in whole or in part

    ♦  WordPerfect or PDF

♣  Will add your Autumn's Flame review link to table, just ask

Denise Domning -- Spring's Fury

Rated: ♥ ♥ ♥ . ♥   {3.85}
Action: ♠♠♠.♠ / Emotion: ♣♣♣♣ / Romance: ♥♥♥♥.♥ / Sensuous: ♦♦ / Suspense: ♠♠♠
Action: 3.75 / Emotion: 4 / Romance: 4.5 / Sensuous: 2 / Suspense: 3  //  Medieval Flavor: 5 / Laughter: 8 / Tears: 0

❀ . . Top . . ❀ . . Review . . ❀ . . Series . . ❀ . . Characters . . ❀ . . Quotes . . ❀ . . Links . . ❀ . . End. . ❀

♥   Romantic Times : 1995 Best Medieval Historical Romance Nominee
First met Nicola of Ashby, in Winter's Heat (first book in Denise Domning's The Graistan Chronicles).  Knew Nicola would make an interesting heroine in her own story (Spring's Fury, third book in the series) because of her strong-willed determination to became a warrior who rules her own lands -- no matter what anyone said to the contrary.  Having been spoiled by her father, and being a youthful seventeen, Nicola was still blinded by her dreams to the realities of what life was to be like for a woman of medieval times.

In the prologue, Nicola relives the scene that determines the course of her new life.  Nicola remembers trying to save her wounded father, John, when Gilliam FitzHenry lays siege to Ashby in his efforts to rescue his brother, Rannulf, who is being held prisoner (with his wife Rowena).  Domning writes an interesting and well-described, smoke-filled, burning-keep, action-packed sequence in which Nicola sees her father die at the end of Gilliam's sword -- all from John of Ashby's point of view.

Nicola is now ward to Rannulf FitzHenry, Lord of Graistan and is plotting her next escape attempt in an effort to avoid her marriage to Ashby's new Lord, Gilliam FitzHenry.  Nicola's best friend, Tilda, arrives in the cellar (where Nicola is being held) to tell her all is ready for her escape from the wedding service.

Meanwhile, soldiers and villager's were placing bets about whether Gilliam would be alive the morning after his wedding.  Gilliam has been given his heart's desire (as revealed in Winter's Heat) -- his own lands.  He is determined to make his lands and people prosperous, but to do that he must wed Nicola because as new Lord of Ashby, he needs the support of the people who love their previous lady of the keep, Nicola.

Adding further interest to the story, Geoffrey FitzHenry, Gilliam's elder full-blood brother arrives with a thirteen-year-old, weakling lad, Jocelyn, to be fostered under Gilliam's tutelage as a knight.  Jocelyn is a very well-developed, interesting and intriguing acquisition.  Love the way Gilliam completely ignores Jocelyn's determined attempts to circumvent his training and treats him as a boy full of potential instead of a weakling to be pampered.  Domning brings such life to the characters by including little things that carry a lot of realistic weight; for instance, Gilliam constantly addressing the lad as "Jos" and Jocelyn constantly replying, "My name is Jocelyn."

Nicola has been trying to prevent her marriage to her father's murderer by claiming that her neighbor, Hugh de Ocslade (a man she detests), has a betrothal contract with her father.  When the greedy, grasping villain of Spring's Fury rides up to the chapel door to claim his rights as the betrothed, Nicola springs into action; she {1} wounds Gilliam with her mantle pin; {2} kicks Rannulf in stomach; and {3} flees through the crowd with Tilda to arrive at their hidey-hole to transform herself into a lad.

Suspense builds as Nicola senses a change in her "more sister than servant" best friend.  Tilda is another example of Domning's well-developed supporting characters that she includes in her books.  Tilda has bent men to her will -- using her beauty and sexuality in her efforts to free herself from the commonness of her birth.  She is willing to turn Nicola over to Hugh de Ocslade in return for money and a place in his house.  Not only is Nicola beset by the emotional angst of losing her father, now her best friend has betrayed her -- and accused Nicola of causing Tilda's mother's death when Nicola's efforts to play "lord of the realm" caused Ashby to be burned and invaded.

Gilliam goes after Nicola on Witasse.  Domning features another aggressive, battle-trained mount in book three (as in other books of the series).  This tidbit of "a man and his horse" adds a realistic flavor to the novel.  Enjoyed this aspect in each of the books of The Graistan Chronicles.

Tilda leaves Nicola to defend herself when ruffians attack as they travel to Ashby.  Nicola's years of training enable her to slay several men before the others flee, leaving her alone in her misery (first kill) to hobble (another Domning realism -- boots too small) towards Ashby.  When Gilliam finds Nicola and takes her to Ashby to immediately marry, Nicola feels the bite of betrayal again because "her" villagers side with Gilliam.  Gilliam won the villager's favor because he started the reconstruction of Ashby by first rebuilding the villager's cottages.

Although Gilliam acceded to Nicola's wishes to leave the marriage unconsummated, there was no doubt about the sexual tension and romance that began to radiate between Nicola and Gilliam.  Nicola does not believe she could be desired for anything but her lands because she has always been considered too tall and plain and has witnessed men making fools of themselves over the beauteous Tilda.  Gilliam, however, is a giant of a man, who can easily lift Nicola into his arms to haul her wherever he wishes.  Added to that, when Tilda cut Nicola's hair to a boy-short length, it softened her features and made her more attractive.  When Gilliam treats Nicola with respect and listens to her ideas about the management of Ashby, her pre-conceived ideas towards him start to change.  When Nicola finally gives in to her desire to make love with Gilliam, there is more romance involved than sensuality.  After that, the villagers are betting on how long Gilliam and Nicola can keep their hands off one another.

Another animal is featured in Spring's Fury.  A huge dog, Roia, is Gilliam's constant companion who tends to growl at Nicola and snuggle with Jos.  Again, it is these little things that add depth and flavor to Domning's stories.

Although Gilliam displays his capability of being an authoritative warrior, his tendency to joke and enjoy life is a decidedly different attribute not usually featured in a medieval romance hero.  This personality trait brings a softer feeling to the story, even as Ashby is beset with troubles because Ocslade is stealthly raiding Ashby's crofters to incite Gilliam to war.  But Gilliam's tendency to laugh and joke also leads people (like Ocslade) to miss the intelligence behind the smiles.

At times, the day-to-day life of twelfth century England caused the story to lag a bit, but all-in-all, Spring's Fury is a very entertaining, interesting, intriguing read.  It is a very nice addition to the series.  It contains {1} guilt-ridden, but strong, fun alpha hero; {2} strong-willed, emotionally-scarred warrior woman; {3} well-developed supporting characters; {4} a strong historical flavor; {5} plenty of action to feed adventure-loving readers; {6} the suspense of how hero would win not only heroine's love, but defeat the villain; and {7} the romance and sensuality that developed between the hero and heroine.
--Vonda M. Reid (Sunday; January 30, 2011 : 2:10 p.m.)

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Books In The Series: "The Graistan Chronicles"

#	Date	Title	Hero	Heroine
01.	02-1994	Winter's Heat	Rannulf FitzHenry, Lord Graistan	Rowena "Wren" of Benfield
02.	08-1994	Summer's Storm	Richard "Temric" FitzHenry, Lord Meynell	Phillipa of Lindhurst
03.	04-1995	Spring's Fury	Gilliam FitzHenry, Lord Ashby	Nicola "Colette" of Ashby
04.	11-1995	Autumn's Flame	Geoffrey FitzHenry, Lord Coudray	Elyssa of Freyne
05.	12-1996	A Love For All Seasons	Robert of Blacklea, Grossier of Lynn	Johanna of Stanrudde

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Characters Found In "Spring's Fury"

Character	Description
Gilliam FitzHenry, Lord of Ashby	[Hero] giant of man (11) pale blue eyes (24) chin and brow perfectly proportioned; nose neither too small or to large, no bump, handsome man (34) 22-y-o (34) massive shoulders; broad chest (__) gentleness {139) intelligent (152) pride; arrogance (153) beautiful; gentle curve of brows; fine rise of cheekbones; strong column of neck; shoulders twice width of hers; (157) masculine swell of chest; flat plane of stomach; scar from waist to hip; no excess weight; long, thick legs; long feet (158) rise of his fine cheekbones; gentle curve of mouth; beautiful man (259)
Nicola "Colette" of Ashby	[Heroine] warrior woman; overly tall; plain; no feminine softness (9) hazel eyes (11) hip length lively brown hair in ringlets (14) virago; loyal; true; healer (28) magnificent eyes turned plain girl striking; almond shaped ringed by thick, dark lashes; brows almost straight; color shifted with moods (33) beautiful as a boy; wild and tangled curls framed her face, a dark halo of hair, softening and shortening her features (107) jawline round and feminine (108) headstrong (138) long slender fingers (147) sleek as a cat; fragile-looking as a reed; white smooth skin (160) strong; capable; deadly (179)
. . .	. . .
Agnes	[No Appearance] Tilda's mother; Nicola's nurse (17) Tilda blamed Nicola for her mother's death (92) Aggie raised Nicola; taught her healing (266)
Alexander	[Brief Appearance] Ashby village child; injured (334)
Alice	[Brief Appearance] Ashby villager; bright coppery read hair (146) offered to say Nicola's vows for her (147) pregnant (214)
Alfred	[Brief Appearances] Gilliam's man (55)
Alan	[Secondary Character] dark hair to shoulders; bold face; thick beard; pride in set of shoulders (65) knight; Tilda's boyfriend; helped Nicola escape (70)
Anne	[Brief Appearance] Ashby village woman; toll taker's wife; part of Nicola's bridal chamber activities (155)
Arnold	[Brief Appearance] Ashby master mason (374)
Arnult	[Brief Appearance] Graistan castellan (39)
John of Ashby	[Brief Appearance] Nicola's father; killed in battle (7)
Tilda of Ashby	[Major Secondary Character] Nicola's best friend since girlhood; lush form; fine features; honey and cream coloring; petite; wealth of tawny hair; bright brown eyes (17) revenge could be vicious; Nicola's closest companion (18) Nicola had treated Tilda as sister, not servant (62) Ocslade paying Tilda to deliver Nicola to him (91) fine oval face; brows lifting in gentle arch over luminous brown eyes; lush, full lips (320)
Athelina	[Brief Appearance] Ashby village woman; village ale taster; rough hands part of Nicola's bridal chamber activities (155)
Berthilde	[Brief Appearance] Ashby village woman part of Nicola's bridal chamber activities (155)
Cecilia	[No Appearance] Geoff's daughter (372)
Dickon	[One Appearance] member of Alan's ragtag band of six (82) big man (86)
Emotte	[Brief Appearance] Ashby villager; Ralph by Wood's wife; sour-tempered; heavy (154)
Geoffrey FitzHenry, Lord Coudray	[Secondary Character] [Hero of Book Four] Gilliam's mom's oldest son (23) injured by now deceased wife (24) golden hair; missing eye; scars; darker blue eye (24) rich baritone voice; hair just as golden as Gilliam's; eye color a deeper blue; nose had same perfect length and width; high cheekbones; strong jawline; scar traveled from top left of brow, across bridge of his nose, beneath patch covering his right eye, trailed off toward his ear (369) second smaller scar cut directly down from the shielded eye to curl into the corner of his mouth (370)
Rannulf FitzHenry, Lord of Graistan	[Secondary Character] [Hero of Book One] Gilliam's brother (11) Nicola was his ward; could not wait to get trouble-maker off his hands (57)
Jocelyn of Freyne	[Important Secondary Character] small, bony lad; pale skin; knotted spikes of fine brown hair; generous forehead; wide-set brown eyes (23) heir to Freyne; to foster with Gilliam (25) 13-y-o; weak (26) dour; joyless; play-less; dam wanted him for church (27) "Jos" (125) expression in eyes far older than his youthful features (126) Jos had never had a toy "ball" before; his mom frowned on such frivolity (215)
Lady Elyssa [of Freyne]	[No Appearance] [Heroine of Book Four] pregnant; staying with Geoff because he was sheriff (372)
Johanna	[Brief Appearances] Thomas's daughter-in-law; fresh-faced; bright eyes; 1 year older than Nicola; Young Thom's wife; 2-y-o son (236) pretty (237)
Isotte	[No Appearance] Rannulf's second wife (29)
John over Brook	[Brief Appearance] Ashby villager; grim-face; middle years (141)
Alexander atte Lane	[Brief Appearance] Ashby carpenter (141)
Hobbe atte Lea	[Brief Appearance] Rannulf's huntsman (102)
Maida	[Brief Appearance] Ashby village woman; oldest woman in village; grandson's farmed her husband's lands part of Nicola's bridal chamber activities (155)
Margery	[Brief Appearances] Ashby villager; Alice's compassionate sister; coppery hair (154) soft brown eyes (176)
Mad Muriel	[Brief Appearances] Ashby villager; poorest woman in village (240)
Osbert	[Brief Appearances] Hugh de Ocslade's nephew; dark complexion; black eyes; near her height; powerful shoulders (350)
Hugh de Ocslade	[Secondary Character] contracted to marry Nicola (9) black hair and beard streaked with silver (47) shorter than Nicola; sharp, sallow features; black eyes; hated Nicola (50) bleed own properties dry; greedy; lived beyond himself (65)
Father Reynard	[Secondary Character] Ashby priest; great beak of nose; wide mouth; dense beard streaked with gray; thick brows; brown eyes; web of creases along his cheeks; nature gave him his tonsure; remaining fine dark hair in ever-expanding circle atop his head (132) homely face (362)
Robert	[Brief Appearance] Gilliam's man (55)
Robert, son of Robert	[Brief Appearance] Ashby villager; Muriel's 16-y-o son; hard-working (240)
Roia	Gilliam's dog; great, square muzzle; huge spotted dog (169)
Seger	[Brief Appearance] Ashby cook (265)
Abbot Simon	[Secondary Character] trying to break free of Rannulf's rule (25) sanctimonious little monk (32) small; slender; meek features; pride (41) prideful (56)
William Smith	[Brief Appearance] Ashby blacksmith (142)
Young Thom	[Brief Appearances] Thomas' son (190)
Thomas	[Secondary Character] Ashby reeve; Tilda's father; rolling gait caused by rheumy hips; thick hair covering legs (140) wild tawny hair; heavy beard; deeply set eyes; stocky (141) burly; redness in beard; thick chest (237)
Walter	[Secondary Character] Rannulf's knight (75) plain face (235)
William	[Brief Appearances] Hugh de Ocslade's nephew (151) lied about vows between Hugh and Nicola (49)
Witasse	Gilliam's battle trained mount (96)
Wyna	(214)

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"Spring's Fury" Quotations

205	. . . she saw in the lad her own reflection, stubbornly refusing change because others asked it of her. . . .
240	. . . I cannot look at my daughter without spewing harsh and hateful words. . . .
284	. . . Tilda always said that if you held a man by his cock, you owned him.
310	. . .   "There is no guaranteed outcome to anything, Jos.   You must never wager what you are not willing to lose. . . .

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"Spring's Fury" Review and Information Links

Rated	Posted	Site	Notes, Comments, Etc.
--	--	Denise Domning's Website	Author (aka: Denise Hampton)
4.44 average	{36 reviews}	Amazon	as of: October 22, 2012
B+	02-28-2008	Aneca's World
4.00 average	{5 ratings}	Barnes & Noble	as of: October 22, 2012
--	--	Fantastic Fiction	List of Denise Domning's Books
--	--	Fiction DB	List of Denise Domning's Books
--	--	Fantastic Fiction	List of Denise Hampton's Books
--	--	Fiction DB	List of Denise Hampton's Books
3.89 average	{9 reviews}	Good Reads	as of: October 22, 2012
--	--	Historical Romance Writers	short biographical interview
4.40 average	{5 ratings}	Library Thing	as of: October 22, 2012
3.50 average	{5 ratings}	Paperback Swap	as of: October 22, 2012
4.50 Top Pick	--	RT {Romantic Times} Book Reviews	1995 Best Medieval Historical Romance Nominee
4.00 average	{2 reviews}	Shelfari	as of: October 22, 2012
3.85	02-09-2011	Wolf Bear Does Books	shorter post on Amazon, Good Reads, Shelfari

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Notes:
♥   Disclaimer:   I Purchased This Book
♥   Very Subjective Rating
♣   Will add your Spring's Fury review link to table, just ask

Denise Domning -- Summer's Storm

Rated: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ . ♥   {4.85}
Action: ♠♠♠♠ / Emotion: ♣♣♣♣♣ / Romance: ♥♥♥♥ / Sensuous: ♦♦ / Suspense: ♠♠♠♠
Action: 4 / Emotion: 5 / Romance: 4 / Sensuous: 2 / Suspense: 4  //  Medieval Flavor: 4 / Laughter: 4 / Tears: 11

❀ . . Top . . ❀ . . Review . . ❀ . . Series . . ❀ . . Characters . . ❀ . . Quotes . . ❀ . . Links . . ❀ . . End. . ❀

Immediately upon closing the cover of Winter's Heat (first book of Denise Domning's The Graistan Chronicles), picked up the second book of the series, Summer's Storm.   Could not wait to read about Rannulf's fascinating, elder, but illegitimate brother Temric, who we later learned was christened Richard.

Fully expected to hate the heroine of book two because she was the favored sister to the now much-beloved Rowena (heroine of book one).   Not only did Lady Edith of Benfield (Rowena and Philippa's mother) favor Philippa as a child, but Lady Edith, Philippa and her husband, Lord Roger of Lindhurst, were trying to steal away Rowena's inheritance.

Doming proved what a magic spinner of tales she was.   The heroine, Lady Philippa of Lindhurst, was not only married, but she was an abused wife.   The assumption that Philippa thought she was better than Rowena and deserved to receive their grandfather's inheritance proved to be wrong.   It was easy to feel great compassion for Philippa upon meeting her, along with her vicious, abusive mother-in-law, Lady Margaret of Lindhurst.   Philippa had been married to Roger of Lindhurst for twelve years and had never left the Lindhurst estate.   She was more prisoner than wife.   Domning did a phenomenal job of portraying how it felt to be a helpless battered wife in the twelfth century.

Summer's Storm was another book that immediately drew the reader into the story line and make it almost impossible to put the book down.   It was imperative to keep reading to find out how Domning was going to unravel the tangled mess in which the hero and heroine found themselves enmeshed.

Temric encountered Philippa when he arrived at Lindhurst with his cousin, Oswald of Hereford, who served as administrator to Bishop William of Hereford, the powerful cleric who was to rule on which of Lady Edith's daughters would receive her rightful inheritance.   It was hard to imagine that such a thing could happen, but Temric fell in love with Philippa at first sight.   Sure she was beautiful, but Temric had created a scenario in his mind about how he and Philippa were kindred spirits -- sharing the same cruel fate -- both being disinherited, bastard children.

The suspense thickened because Temric committed an unpardonable sin (for the era) -- not for stopping Lady Margaret from beating Philippa when she spoke up that she was Roger Lindhurst's wife -- but for touching an aristocrat.   Apparently commoners could be executed for improperly touching an aristocrat and when Temric placed Philippa in front of him on his horse, Margaret was out for blood.

By the time Oswald and Temric arrived with Philippa at Graistan, Oswald was incensed because he caught Temric committing incest -- Temric was kissing his sister-by-marriage.   Domning did another amazing job of revealing a battered wife's thought processes as she was kissed with care and consideration for the first time in her life.   The inner struggle that went on in Philippa's mind was realistically well-written.   She was not alone.   Temric suffered from the same misgivings.   He felt that Philippa was his soul mate, but there was no way his honor could allow him to be with not only a married woman, but his "sister."

Oswald sent Temric to confess to Graistan's Father Edwin, told him to stay away from Philippa, and left to go on a hunt with Bishop William, Rannulf, and Lord Lindhurst.   Philippa was excited to meet her sister after having had no touch with her family in twelve years.   It was quite a revelation to both sisters at how each had misinterpreted the childhood memories attributed to the other.   Rowena found a battered sister instead of a pampered, spoiled woman trying to steal her inheritance.

Temric was relieved that he had a valid reason to leave Graistan when his youngest brother, Peter, arrived to bring news that his widowed mother desperately needed his help with the family business because Jehan (Peter's elder brother) had lost the use of his legs in a warehouse injury.   Temric knew he had to remove himself from Philippa's presence.

Temric's leave-taking was hampered by the arrival of Margaret Lindhurst, who attacked him and demanded that Temric be whipped for touching her daughter-in-law.   Rowena hid Philippa and Temric in the same chamber, much to Temric's dismay.   Love whenever authors' portray the knightly honor of medieval men.   Temric had sworn upon his honor not to touch Philippa and being alone with her was killing him.   Especially, when Philippa decided she would touch Temric one last time before she died.   (Philippa knew that Roger would beat her to death when he found out another man had touched her.)

Philippa developed a relationship with her maid, Anne, and learned that the kindnesses at Graistan keep were typical.   Although Anne's character was not well-developed, she played a vital role in the twists and turns necessary in finding a way out of the maze that trapped Temric and Philippa.   Because Anne overheard Philippa confess to Father Edwin that she was afraid to die, Anne was able to tell Temric about Philippa's danger.

When Philippa admitted to Bishop William that she was, indeed, illegitimate, Roger dragged her from the hall before Temric could get to her.   By the time Temric made it to Roger's tent, Philippa had been beaten unconscious.   Bishop William arrived during the sword fight between Temric and Roger and agreed to a battle on the field of honor tomorrow.   But before the battle could take place, Rannulf finally got his life-long wish.   He knighted "Richard of Graistan" to make him an aristocrat and, thus, not punishable as a commoner.   The camaraderie that flowed between the brothers in Winter's Heat carried over into Summer's Storm as well.   (Temric had emotional conversation with Rannulf about confronting the pains of the past.)

Loved the spirituality that Domning wrote into Summer's Storm with regard to Temric coming to terms with his relationship with his father, Henry.   As was stressed in Winter's Heat, Temric repeatedly turned down Rannulf's offer to be knighted and become lord of one of his father's keeps.   For seventeen years Temric had been mad at his father for not writing his name on his will -- while all of his brothers knew that Henry had fully intended for Temric to inherit properties -- Henry just died prematurely of a broken heart after the death of his beloved wife, Ermina.   Temric was visited by Henry's presence in the church and finally understood that Henry not only loved him, but understood him as well.   What a beautiful scene.

The spirituality flowed over onto the heroine as well.   While Philippa was unconscious and headed towards death, a figure appeared in the bright light to tell her she had to stay for Richard.   It wasn't until after Philippa determined that she would love Temric for life, that she learned of his christened name, Richard.   The revelation brought Philippa peace -- she knew they were destined to be together.

Temric, Peter, Anne and Lady Edith devised a plot to save Philippa from the Lindhurst's' plans to see to it that she disappeared during the battle of honor.   Summer's Storm was full of emotional scenes that brought forth tears, but the sacrifices that Lady Edith would make to save her beloved daughter (that she had unintentionally placed into the hands of a monster) were gut-wrenching.   Nobody with a heart could get through these pages (where Philippa was saved) without spilling copious tears.

Temric and Peter take Philippa to Stanrudde where Temric and Philippa are to begin their new life as husband and wife and merchants.   Philippa heals, both physically and mentally, and develops a close relationship with Alwyna (Temric's mother).   Temric, on the other hand, suffers from a growing sense of depression.   Temric misses being a knight and warrior -- being a merchant does not agree with him.

Temric and Philippa have a very romantic private ceremony in which they pledge themselves to one another and make love.   Domning's style of writing involves more emotion and romance than sexuality in her love scenes.

There is one aspect of the book that doesn't quite ring true.   Philippa is the only family member that stands up to the resentful, mean-spirited, bitter man that Jehan has become.   How could a battered wife recover so swiftly that she is able to stand up to such a difficult man? Be that as it may, thanks to Philippa, Jehan becomes part of the business and the human race again.

Of course, no book is finished until there is a fast-paced, spine-tingling, action scene in which the hero and heroine vanquish the bad guy.   Summer's Storm is no exception.   Temric and Philippa finally get their happily-ever-after.
--Vonda M. Reid (Friday; January 21, 2011 : 1:29 a.m.)

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Books In The Series: "The Graistan Chronicles"

#	Date	Title	Hero	Heroine
01.	02-1994	Winter's Heat	Rannulf FitzHenry, Lord Graistan	Rowena "Wren" of Benfield
02.	08-1994	Summer's Storm	Richard "Temric" FitzHenry, Lord Meynell	Phillipa of Lindhurst
03.	04-1995	Spring's Fury	Gilliam FitzHenry, Lord Ashby	Nicola "Colette" of Ashby
04.	11-1995	Autumn's Flame	Geoffrey FitzHenry, Lord Coudray	Elyssa of Freyne
05.	12-1996	A Love For All Seasons	Robert of Blacklea, Grossier of Lynn	Johanna of Stanrudde

❀ . . Top . . ❀ . . Review . . ❀ . . Series . . ❀ . . Characters . . ❀ . . Quotes . . ❀ . . Links . . ❀ . . End. . ❀

Characters Found In "Summer's Storm"

Character	Description
Richard "Temric" FitzHenry	[Hero] knight (10) powerful frame; unembellished armor and shield; brown hair; carefully trimmed beard; plain face; rawboned; bold jaw; strong nose with slight crook; dark expressive brows; brown eyes alive with golden lights (11) bastard of Graistan; 38-y-o; Norman and English blood (12) finely molded lips (23) calloused hands (25) Richard (237)
Philippa of Lindhurst	[Heroine] married twelve years; Lindhurst a prison (7) eyes of green and blue at once; creamy skin; golden hair; lift of brow; wide cheekbones; gentle curve of jaw and mouth (16) tiny form (18) 24-y-o (21) slender jawline; upward tilt to eyes; short, straight nose (40) gentle; fearful (57) full curve of breasts; narrow waist; well formed hips; beautiful; well-made (62)
. . .	. . .
Albert	(254)
Alwyna	[Major Secondary Character] wants Temric to come to Stanrudde to do Jehan's work (73) Temric's mother (71) dark hair heavily threaded with silver; face usually round and full-cheeked, now gaunt (211)
Anne	[Secondary Character] maid; assigned to Philippa; dark hair (38) Annette (132) befriended Philippa
Nicola Ashby	[Heroine of Book Three] Rannulf revealed he had custody of Nicola; jailed her in cellar for running away (305)
Edith of Benfield	[Secondary Character] Philippa's mother; looked enough like Philippa to be twin; clear green eyes (16) slender jawline; upward tilt to eyes; short, straight nose (40)
Clarice	[Brief Appearance] Jehan's almost betrothed (214)
Father Edwin	[Secondary Character] Graistan's ancient priest; back bowed with age; wisps of pale hair covered freckled pate; gap-toothed smile; deaf; intelligent; beautiful voice (56) sharp blue gaze (57)
Emma	[Brief Appearance] Graistan maid (54)
Ermina [FitzHenry]	[No Appearance] Henry lost his will to live when Ermina died (172)
Geoffrey [FitzHenry]	[Hero of Book Four] Temric's half brother (172)
Gilliam [FitzHenry]	[Hero of Book Three] Temric's half brother (172) Rannulf giving him Ashby keep (305)
Henry [FitzHenry]	[No Appearance] Temric's father (187)
Gareth	[Brief Appearances] stable master (41)
Gerard	[Secondary Character] Clarice's father (216) portly; bald to a fringe around the back of his head; self-absorbed opinion (339)
Guy	[Brief Appearance] threw Temric in Philippa's chamber (86)
Lord Rannulf of Graistan	[Secondary Character] [Hero of Book One] tall; dark hair; harsh planes to face; dour appearance (128) gray eyes (129)
Rowena of Graistan	[Secondary Character] [Heroine of Book One] Philippa's sister (16) bore Lord Benfield's blue eyes, black hair; slender jaw line; upward tilt of eyes; short, straight nose (40) beautiful; well-made (62)
Bishop William of Hereford	[Brief Appearance] to rule on whether Philippa or Rowena is the rightful daughter to inherit; short; portly (143) dark eyes (144) arrogance at his power (144) dark eyes; thick beard; round face lent him false air of kindliness; power was his true nature (146)
Oswald of Hereford	[Secondary Character] went with Temric to collect Philippa; Temric's cousin; Bishop's administrator (14) dark brows; black eyes (13)
Ilsa	[Brief Appearance] Graistan maid (122)
Jehan	[Major Secondary Character] Stanrudde wool merchant; hurt in warehouse; cannot walk; Temric's middle brother (by mother); 25-y-o; angry (73) dark hair; round face; soft in lingering youth (236)
Jordan	[Secondary Character] Rannulf's son (41) coppery glow to hair (40)
Hobb atte Lea	[Brief Appearance] Graistan's chief forester (200)
Lady Margaret Lindhurst	[Important Secondary Character] Philippa's mother in law; sagging face; knife-thin nose; gray spikes of hair (8)
Roger of Lindhurst	[Important Secondary Character] Philippa's vicious husband (9) fine and golden beauty (11) obsessive jealously (21) arrogant (34) tall; not too broad; golden hair; long, straight limbs; face like an angel (52) long; lean; half head taller than Temric (145)
Otto	[No Appearance] Graistan cook; given to Bishop of Hereford; relationship with Anne (190)
Peter	[Secondary Character] came to Graistan looking for Temric; Temric's mom's youngest son (70) Alwyna against his effort to become part of church (74) lanky; 16-y-o; fine, dark hair
Petrona	[No Appearance] Anne's daughter; her husband beat Petrona to death (132)
Rob	[Brief Appearance] Jehan's warehouse employee (216)
Robin	[Brief Appearance] Temric's man (21)
Sherewind	Jordan's pony (41)
Tom	[Brief Appearance] Jehan's warehouse employee (216)
Walter	[Brief Appearances] Rannulf's man (86)

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"Summer's Storm" Quotations

114	"Child, you make yourself more powerful than you are.   Only our Lord can allow or disallow.   You need only trust in your faith to show you the right path."
117	"How will I recognize what is mine own response and what is coming from another source [meaning God]?"
179	"The pity of it is not that you have misjudged your father, there's no man that doesn't do that from time to time.   Rather it lies in how you have hurt yourself by seeking to prove Henry did what he had not done."
179	. . .   But, then, you have been a haunted child, convinced by your birth that you have no value.
297	. . .   "He will beg for your help, but if you intervene, you will only make more of a cripple of him."
329	Within him grew a list of regrets, things he'd wished he'd done, things he'd done and wished he hadn't. . . .

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"Summer's Storm" Review and Information Links

Rated	Posted	Site	Notes, Comments, Etc.
--	--	Denise Domning's Website	Author (aka: Denise Hampton)
3.92 average	{24 reviews}	Amazon	as of: October 22, 2012
B+	02-27-2008	Aneca's World
4.50 average	{4 ratings}	Barnes & Noble	as of: October 22, 2012
--	--	Desert Rose RWA	Excerpt from Writer's Guide
--	--	Fantastic Fiction	List of Denise Domning's Books
--	--	Fiction DB	List of Denise Domning's Books
--	--	Fantastic Fiction	List of Denise Hampton's Books
--	--	Fiction DB	List of Denise Hampton's Books
3.83 average	{4 reviews}	Good Reads	as of: October 22, 2012
--	--	Historical Romance Writers	short biographical interview
none	none	Library Thing	as of: October 22, 2012
4.50 average	{2 reviews}	Shelfari	as of: October 22, 2012
4.85	02-08-2011	Wolf Bear Does Books	shorter post on Amazon, Good Reads, Shelfari

❀ . . Top . . ❀ . . Review . . ❀ . . Series . . ❀ . . Characters . . ❀ . . Quotes . . ❀ . . Links . . ❀ . . End. . ❀

Notes:
♥   Disclaimer:   I Purchased This Book
♥   Very Subjective Rating
♣   Will add your Summer's Storm review link to table, just ask