Action: ♠♠♠.♠ / Emotion: ♣♣♣ / Romance: ♥♥♥.♥ / Sensuous: ♦♦.♦ / Suspense: ♠♠♠.♠
Action: 3.5 / Emotion: 3 / Romance: 3.5 / Sensuous: 2.5 / Suspense: 3.5 // Medieval Flavor: 4.5 / Laughter: 3 / Teary: 1
♥ The Winter Rose -- 2011 -- Best Historical -- Winner
♥ Hearts of Excellence -- 2011 -- Best Historical -- Winner
♥ The Maggie -- 2011 -- Best Historical -- Finalist
♥ The Golden Quill -- 2011 -- Best Historical -- Finalist
♥ Award of Excellence -- 2011 -- Best Historical -- Finalist
♥ The Beacon -- 2011 -- Best Historical -- Second Place
♥ RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Awards --
Best British-Isles Set Historical Romance -- 2011 -- Nominee
While Knight of Passion, the third book of Margaret Mallory's trilogy, All The King's Men, was an interesting, enjoyable read, did not like it as much as the first two books, Knight of Desire and Knight of Pleasure. Part of the problem was that took an immediate dislike to Linnet, the heroine of the novel. Yes, it was easy to understand that she was incredibly young (fifteen) when she used Sir James "Jamie" Rayburn (a character that already loved from the first two books in trilogy) to show her father, Alain, that he could not force her to marry Sir Guy Pomeroy, a man she detested.
That dislike lessened when Mallory painted a bold, vivid picture of what it had been like for Linnet and François to be destitute children after their grandfather's death in that amazingly well-written way Mallory has of developing a story. Mallory set the stage for a constant aura of suspense that ran throughout the entire book by featuring Linnet as a strong, determined heroine, whose entire purpose in life was to exact vengeance upon the men who, under the guise of "dear old friends," had ruined her grandfather's business during his last years as he struggled with dementia.
There were several different threads running through Jamie and Linnet's story. The brightest and strongest thread being, of course, fixing the damaged relationship between Jamie and Linnet. The second thread being that of Linnet's obsession with finding the man who lead the merchants who stole her grandfather's wealth. If the reader read the "Historical Note" (at the end of the book), it would explain the appearance of the next two threads in the story. It was obvious Mallory has done her research regarding this time period and has a magical way of spinning a tale about how things may have happened between several of those historical people by having them interact with Jamie and Linnet. (Really liked the wonderful addition of "Historical Notes" section that Mallory included at the end of each book of the trilogy -- they were extremely illuminating.)
Knight of Passion was filled with many historical facts and actual historical figures from the 1420s. Mallory cleverly told the story of how the Duke of Gloucester and Bishop Beaufort of Winchester fought for control of the three-year-old king, by making Linnet the confidant of Queen Katherine (king's mother) and having the Duke of Bedford assign Jamie to watch over the young queen while she was residing at Windsor Palace. The third thread of the story was woven as Jamie and Linnet tried to prevent the love affair that developed between Queen Katherine and her newly-assigned 'Keeper of the Wardrobe,' Owen Tudor. Readers of the first book of the trilogy, Knight of Desire, would understand the history behind Jamie's friendship with Owen. Mallory, however, left the thread of how Linnet came to be a close friend and a confidant of Katherine frayed.
The fourth thread interwoven into the story is a scenario that might explain how the Duke of Glouchester's vain, vindictive mistress, Eleanor Cobham, came to be accused of witchcraft in her quest to sit on the throne. Mallory intertwined Linnet's and Jamie's lives with that of Guy Pomeroy, a close friend of the Duke. Because Guy still desired Linnet and hated Jamie for thwarting his efforts to get her into his bed, a sequence of events unfolded which lead Linnet through a secret tunnel to witness a witches' cabal that was tied to Eleanor and several of her clerics.
The characters of Linnet and François somehow seemed not quite as real because they lacked a surname (must be a personal quirk thing). They had a grandfather, who had no first name much less a surname. They were the illegitimate children of Alain (again no last name). Their mother (who must have been the daughter of their grandfather) was a shadowy apparition. And, finally, Linnet's husband, Louis (the man who financed her business and allowed her to further thumb her nose at Guy Pomeroy), was granted no surname either.
Really hated that Mallory did not more fully develop François's personality and feature him a bit more in the book. François may have looked almost identical to his twin sister, but he was her complete opposite in personality -- a laid-back kind of guy, whose life seemed to revolve around enjoyment rather than business. One note: really liked the way Mallory described François's personality (reminiscent of Stephen in Knight of Pleasure). After having read the first two books of this trilogy, this seems to be one of Mallory's trademarks -- to introduce a fascinating supporting character, but to minimally develop that personality, leaving the reader wishing to know so much more about him/her.
Another cute character that would have enjoyed reading more about is Martin, Jamie's squire. This young man was a wonderful addition to the cast of characters.
Another constant theme that ran through the book was that Linnet was a very atypical medieval woman. She did not care about being demure and following the rules. In fact, it was quite obvious that she not only flaunted convention, but seemed to take great pleasure in "poking a stick in the hornet's nest," which seemed to land her in trouble with regularity. In fact, the reason she turned down Jamie's marriage proposal in the prologue was because she did not want to be a boring, 'stay at home and listen to her husband repeat his dull war stories'-kind of wife.
And while it was easy to understand why Jamie walked out on Linnet when it was obvious she used him by making sure her father and Guy found her naked in bed with Jamie, there were a few times that Jamie was not as understanding as a man in love should be. Again, Mallory used the jealously factor extensively (as she did in book one, Knight of Desire) -- Jamie (like his stepfather, William FitzAlan) had a bad case of assuming the uber-beautiful Linnet was sleeping with each man with whom she interacted. And while it made sense that Jamie would demand that Linnet make a choice -- him or revenge, -- why didn't he see that he could have prevented Linnet from walking into dangerous situations as she sought retribution by joining in her quest.
Since Jamie and Linnet were unable to keep their hands off each other in spite of their best efforts, it was no surprise that their story was peppered with many love scenes. Mallory has an amazing talent for writing heated, intense love scenes that were incredibly sensual, slightly graphic, and had a bit of sizzle. The fact that it was obvious that Jamie and Linnet were meant for each other and quite often found themselves fighting about their roles in their relationship, it was no surprise that their lovemaking was extremely emotional as well.
Was pleasantly surprised when Mallory introduced several more slightly-developed secondary characters to add more depth and intricacy to the story. First there were the Staffords. Bishop Beaufort made tentative arrangements for Jamie to become betrothed to Lady Agnes Stafford, the 'I don't want to get married to a man -- I want to marry the church' daughter of the malicious Sir Charles Stafford, who had significant holdings in the north near the Scottish border (near Uncle Stephen's lands), which would give Jamie his own estate.
The biggest surprise, however, was when Jamie's parents (William and Catherine), came to him to introduce him to his paternal uncle. Was really surprised when Mallory tied up this loose end that she left straggling way back in the first book of the trilogy.
In sooth, do not know what else to write in this review. This has been a review fueled by a writer's block attitude of "don't really want to be doing this right now -- would rather read another book." The words are forced -- the ideas just aren't flowing. Nevertheless . . .
Would recommend any book written by Margaret Mallory. Knight of Passion has all the requisite features that make for a great read: {1} a hunky, strong-willed, skillful warrior for a hero; {2} a beautiful, intelligent, determined, self-sufficient heroine; {3} a bit of action that adds flavor and interest to the story; {4} a strong thread of suspense runs through the story: {a} how will Jamie and Linnet ever mange to overcome their difficulties to get their happily-ever-after; and {b} who is the ringleader who orchestrated Linnet's grandfather's ruin; {5} a strong romantic and emotional connection flowed between the hero and heroine; {6} several spicy, heated, sensual lovemaking scenes; {7} intriguing, but not fully-developed supporting characters; {8} seamless incorporation of interesting facts and details about men and women from the history books; {9} the inclusion of heros and heroines from the previous two books of the trilogy; and {10} an action-packed intense finale that closed with a happy future for Jamie and Linnet.
Now that have finished Mallory's All The King's Men Trilogy, am looking forward to reading her next series, Return of The Highlanders.
--Vonda M. Reid (Wednesday, January 25, 2012 : 4:58 p.m.) [209]
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All The King's Men Trilogy
| # | Date | Title | Hero | Heroine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01. | 07-2009 | Knight of Desire | William Neville FitzAlan, knight | Lady Mary Catherine Rayburn, Ross Castle |
| 02. | 12-2009 | Knight of Pleasure | Sir Stephen Neville Carleton, knight | Lady Isobel Hume, expert swordsman |
| 03. | 06-2010 | Knight of Passion | Sir James "Jamie" Rayburn, knight | Lady Linnet |
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Knight of Passion Quotations:
| 4 | "Why do men never believe what you say? They persist in believing "no" means "perhaps," and "I despise you" means "I want you to write me bad poetry." |
| 52 | "he was a lost man." . . . "There was no one for him but her. There never had been. There never would be." |
| 85 | . . . Owen spreading charm like a farmer spreads manure -- and Queen Katherine wallowing in it like a happy hog. |
| 122 | He wanted her to sit by her window and long for him, ache for him. To dream of him, despite herself. To know that no other would ever satisfy her completely. He wanted her to suffer as he did. |
| 148 | "You are braver than I am in so many ways . . . But you are a coward when it comes to love." |
| 254 | "True love does not come last." |
| 314 | "Do not live a life of regret like my brother did." |
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Characters Found In "Knight of Passion"
| Character / Location | Description / Relationships |
|---|---|
| Sir James "Jamie" Rayburn | [Hero] stubborn sense of honor (1) strong lines to handsome face; violet blue eyes (3) dark hair (4) 3 years older than Linnet (10) battle-hardened knight (15) grew up in bosom of large, politically powerful family (19) long dark hair; striking midnight-blue eyes; all hard angles; face leaner; body more muscular; confidence; fearlessness (20) not yet 24-y-o (70) could read and write (88) eyes color of deep-blue velvet; strong lines and planes of his face; never boasted; walked with confidence; not afraid to fight; chose side of right (126) wiser; jaded (157) powerful; skilled; agile; quick (235) |
| Lady Linnet | [Heroine] beautiful (4) bastard; merchant's granddaughter (6) not quite 16 (10) // white-gold hair fell to her hips (13) happiest in midst of tumult and trouble (14) tangy scent of citrus in her hair (16) direct, ice-blue eyes (18) cornflower blue eyes; looked unnervingly like twin (45) stubborn; independent (66) determination (88) wiser; jaded (157) no delicate flower; tore through life, leaving a burned trail behind; fiery nature; strength; unwillingness to follow rules of her class and sex (223) silky white-gold hair (258) a face men would go to war for; soft blue eyes; straight nose; full bottom lip; high cheekbones (259) fierce in her loyalty; awesome in her determination; courageous; clever; witty (346) |
| . . . | . . . |
| Alain | [One Appearance] Linnet' father (2) claimed Linnet and François as children when legitimate sons were dead (5) nearly 60-y-o (292) |
| Alderman Arnold | [Rare Appearances] Linnet wanted to question in regard to her quest to avenge her grandfather / short; well-fed man; alderman (105) would know if Flemish cloth changed hands without proper payment 10-y-a (106) |
| Edmund Beaufort | [Actual Historical Character / Secondary Character] [Historical Fact: carried on a flirtation with Queen Katherine.] [Book: calculated moves to gain control of king via queen, i.e., flirtation; flirted shamelessly with Linnet / young; handsome; brilliant; unmarried; brightest hope for next generation of Beauforts (24) 19-y-o; last 7 years as hostage (28) |
| Henry Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] [Historical Fact: Henry V's half-uncle; had an important place on the Council] [Book: perseverance (43) Duke of Bedford's uncle (171) |
| John, Duke of Bedford | [Actual Historical Character / Brief Appearance] [Historical Fact: One of Henry V's surviving brothers; was appointed senior regent of the realm and was in charge of the ongoing war in France.] [Book: sent Jamie to London to: {1} report on crisis between Bishop, Gloucester; {2} keep young, widowed queen safe / Henry's eldest surviving brother; difficult task of governing French territories and prosecuting the war there (11) Gloucester's brother (175) |
| Joanna Belknap | [Rare Appearance] Queen Katherine's lady-in-waiting (190) |
| Roger Bolingbroke | [Actual Historical Character / Rare Appearance] [Historical Fact: accused of sorcery, as co-conspirator with Eleanor Cobham; hung, drawn and quartered. ] [Book: cleric; pointed beard; Oxford scholar in astrology (104) |
| Brokely: | [Brief Appearance] mastermind behind scheme to ruin Linnet's grandfather; mayor's father in law (348) |
| Isobel Carleton | [Rare Appearances][Heroine of Book 2] Stephen's wife (67) |
| Stephen Carleton | [Rare Appearances][Hero of Book 2] Jamie's uncle (67) ten years older than Jamie; more like brother (276) |
| Carter | [Brief Appearances] man Linnet hired to protect her when Jamie left / her escort; huge (305) |
| Lady Eleanor Cobham | [Actual Historical Character / Secondary Character] [Historical Fact: Eleanor Cobham was an ambitious woman. She became Humphrey's mistress while she was lady-in-waiting to his wife, and then his duchess when his first marriage was invalidated.] [Book: Took an active dislike towards Linnet because of Humphrey's interest in her / Humphrey's lover (42) |
| Joanna Courcy | [Rare Appearance] boldest of queen's ladies-in-waiting (143) |
| Mayor Coventry | [Brief Appearances] Linnet was trying to gain access to question regarding fabric merchants / broad back gone to fat (218) dark hair; fat cheek, pink with health (219) |
| Lady Elizabeth | [No Appearance] Lady Agnes would be staying with her while in London |
| Lady Catherine FitzAlan | [Rare Appearances] [Heroine of Book 1] Jamie's mother (174) |
| William FitzAlan | [Rare Appearances][Hero of Book 1] Jamie's step-father; a good man (171) hair cropped short (262) huge; formidable; hard, handsome face; fading tawny hair (269) |
| Bridget [FitzAlan] | [One Appearance] Jamie's 3-y-o sister (257) |
| Elisabeth [FitzAlan] | [One Appearance] Jamie's sister (257) |
| Nicholas [FitzAlan] | [One Appearance] Jamie's brother (257) |
| François | [Secondary Character] Linnet's brother (5) twin (20) cornflower blue eyes; looked unnervingly like twin (45) "if swept ashore in a strange land, he'd know half the criminals and be invited to sup at the king's table within a week." (105) straight white teeth (129) |
| Geoffrey | [Brief Appearance] Isobel's brother; joined a monastery in Northumberland (263) big, barrel-chested young man; tonsured hair (307) ever the peacemaker (308) |
| Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester | [Actual Historical Character / Secondary Character] [Historical: During Bedford's absence, the government of England was headed by Henry V's other surviving brother, Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, who was appointed Protector and Defender of the Realm. His duties were limited to keeping the peace and summoning Parliament.] [Book: tried to get Linnet in his bed by saying had information on merchant she was looking for / king's youngest brother (5) drunk; Protector and Defender of England (42) full of bombast and bluster; wandering eye (43) |
| Jacqueline de Hainaut | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] married Gloucester even though King Henry had forbidden the marriage (163) |
| Higham | [Rare Appearances] one of men Linnet saw in London house years ago; unusual silver-tipped cane (95) |
| John Hume | [Actual Historical Character / Rare Appearance] [Historical Fact: John Hume, turned informant against Eleanor Cobham and her co-conspirators.] [Book: cleric; weasel; clerk in Gloucester's household (105) |
| Sir John | [One Appearance] present in Curfew Tower when Jamie found Pomeroy to publically challenge to a duel / big man from Northumberland; knew father well; fought with Jamie in France (226) |
| Margery Jourdemayne | [Actual Historical Character / Rare Appearance] [Historical Fact: Since this was Margery Jourdemayne's second offense, she was burned as a relapsed heretic.] [Book: old woman's apprentice; gave Cobham potions she wanted (62) "Witch of Eye" (138) |
| Master Leggett | [No Appearance] one merchant in London Linnet could trust; had helped grandfather, Linnet, François escape London to Calais (95) was actually part of grandfather's ruin (106) |
| Mistress Leggett | [Brief Appearance] Linnet questioned about merchants since her husband had died / huge, hamlike hands; jowls (106) |
| Lily | [Brief Appearance] Mychell's daughter; Linnet encountered her in grandfather's old house on Strand where she grew up / 7/8-y-o girl; shiny red curls (36) precocious; full of life |
| Lizzie | [Brief Appearances] Linnet's maid (305) |
| Louis | [No Appearance] Linnet married for money and independence (33) reasons Linnet married Louis: {1} funds to start business; {2} house in Calais; {3} foothold in Flemish cloth market (68) 70-y-o (70) |
| Martin | [Secondary Character] Jamie's new squire (26) father died when a babe (230) natural skill with sword (279) |
| Master Mychell | [No Appearance] One of the merchant's Linnet set out to ruin / lackey; not clever enough to plan demise of business; grandfather's house was his reward; greasy-haired rodent (34) |
| Guy Pomeroy | [Secondary Character] Linnet had Pomeroy fearful of begetting different heir when she married Promeroy's great-uncle / snake; close to Duke of Gloucester (5) powerfully built; violent (7) lecherous; devil-eyed (19) smelled of onions, dank sweat, covered by gagging heavy scent (46) powerful; skilled (235) |
| Anne [Rayburn] | [Epilogue: Brief Appearance] Jamie and Linnet's daughter (382) |
| John Alan [Rayburn] | [Epilogue: Brief Appearance] Jamie and Linnet's 4-y-o son (382) |
| Sir Robert | [No Appearance] [featured in Books One and Two] Linnet and François left in his care for two years (292) |
| Rose | [Rare Appearances] went to Linnet's home to return letters Alain had written to her grandfather / Mychell's daughter (290) prettier than Lily; 19-y-o (291) voluptuous; mirror image of Lily (333) |
| Thomas Southwell | [Actual Historical Character / Rare Appearance] [Historical Fact: accused of sorcery, as co-conspirator with Eleanor Cobham; died in Tower. ] [Book: cleric; physician; canon of St. Stephen's church in Westminster Palace (104) |
| Lady Agnes Stafford | [Secondary Character] Only daughter of Charles Stafford; father negotiating to betroth to Jamie; would father join church / pretty; very fair skin; dark soulful eyes (177) dour expression; tiny thing (179) big breasts (213) |
| Sir Charles Stafford | [Secondary Character] Negotiating with Bishop Beaufort; considering Jamie as man to marry his daughter / paid sentage in lieu of serving; significant holdings in the north near Scottish border, near Uncle Stephen's lands; no male heir (172) stout; florid complexion of man who drank too much; spoke too loud (177) churlish, malicious disregard for daughter's feelings (178) |
| Mother Therese | [No Appearance] Agnes Stafford quoted often / resided at Saint Mary of the Woods, near Stafford lands (181) |
| Thunder | Jamie's warhorse (11) |
| Owain ap Tudor / Owen Tudor | [Actual Historical Character / Major Secondary Character] [Historical Fact: had four or five children with Queen Katherine while serving as her Clerk of the Wardrobe. While it is generally believed the two secretly married, there is no record of it.] [Book: one of King Henry's squires of the body; will join queen's service; handsome Welshman; devil in his eyes (55) good-humored man; wit; charm (56) fine build; jaunty air (80) muscular thighs (189) heavy, muscular frame; lightheartedness; good humor (191) |
| Queen Katherine de Valois | [Actual Historical Character / Major Secondary Character] [Historical Fact: King's mother; as Charles VI's {French} daughter, was viewed with considerable suspicion by English nobles and prevented from having a full role in her son's upbringing.] [Book: fragile-looking; 24-y-o (17) astonishingly lack of interest in politics (20) sister to the dauphin (22) flirtatious nature; girlhood in convent; charming; pretty (24) |
| Lady Anne Wheaton | [One Appearance] Charles' wife; frail; light, sweet voice; icy hands, light as a feather; warmth and laughter in her hazel eyes (310) |
| Sir Charles Wheaton | [Brief Appearance] Jamie went to meet his paternal uncle / Richard's brother (265) same unusual shade of blue eyes as Jamie; black hair streaked with gray (309) |
| Richard James Wheaton | [No Appearance] Jamie's birth father; monk; unusually contained life (265) kind (311) |
| Master Woodley | [Secondary Character] Linnet's clerk / old man (12) |
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♠ FictionDB
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Knight of Passion Reviews:
| Rated | Posted | Site | Notes, Comments, Etc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.00 | 06-02-2010 | A Journey of Books | also on: Amazon, Good Reads |
| 3.50 | 05-...-2010 | A Romance Review | reads like regurgitated rhetoric review |
| 4.28 average | {18 reviews} | Amazon | as of: February 18, 2012 |
| 4.18 average | {11 reviews} | Barnes and Noble | as of : February 19, 2012 |
| 3.50 | 06-...-2010 | Bella Online | |
| -- | 06-14-2010 | Book Junkie | [book release blog tour] {author interview} |
| -- | 06-14-2010 | Broken Teepee | [book release blog tour] [qv] |
| 3.50 | 07-01-2010 | Caught In A FAB Review | also on: Amazon, Good Reads |
| -- | 06-14-2010 | Chick With Books | [book release blog tour] [uv] |
| 4.00 | 06-19-2011 | Coffee Time Romance | |
| 4.00 | 06-14-2010 | DK's Book Reviews | also on: Amazon, Good Reads [book release blog tour] [qv] |
| 3.00 | 06-02-2010 | Fiction Vixen | [book release blog tour] {guest review} |
| 3.00 | 06-09-2010 | Find The Time To Read | [book release blog tour] [qv] |
| -- | -- | Fresh Fiction | Fresh Pick |
| 3.27 average | {48 reviews} | Good Reads | as of: February 19, 2012 |
| 3.86 average | {51 reviews} | Google Books | all reviews are found on Good Reads and Overstock.com |
| -- | -- | Hachette Book Group | All The King's Men Extras |
| -- | 06-17-2010 | Heart To Heart: BN Romance Blog | |
| -- | 06-02-2010 | History Hoydens | see: Last Article {Interview} |
| 4.50 | 06-11-2010 | In the Hammock Book Reviews | also on: Good Reads [book release blog tour] |
| 3.50 / C | 05-29-2010 | Jandy's Reading Room | |
| 3.00 | 06-07-2010 | Just Jennifer Reading | also on: Good Reads [book release blog tour] |
| 3.50 | 02-17-2011 | Let Them Read Books | also on: Amazon, Good Reads |
| 4.08 average | {6 reviews} | Library Thing | as of: February 19, 2012 [shame on aromagik] |
| -- | 06-14-2010 | Maria's Space | [book release blog tour] [qv] |
| 4.00 | 06-09-2010 | Martha's Bookshelf | [book release blog tour] |
| -- | 06-09-2010 | Martha's Bookshelf | {author interview} |
| 4.25 | 06-07-2010 | Michelle and Leslie's Book Pics | also on: Amazon, Good Reads [book release blog tour] |
| 5.00 | 06-14-2010 | My Book Addiction and More | also on: Amazon [book release blog tour] [qv] |
| -- | ...-...-2010 | My Shelf | |
| -- | 12-15-2010 | Not Another Romance Blog | {Author Preview Article} |
| -- | 06-09-2010 | Our Guilty Pleasures | [book release blog tour] [qv] |
| 5.00 average | {1 reveiw} | Overstock . com | as of: February 19, 2012 |
| 4.00 average | {2 reviews} | Paperback Swap | as of: February 19, 2012 |
| -- | 06-06-2010 | Readaholic | [book release blog tour] [qv] |
| 5.00 | 06-05-2010 | Rex Robots Reviews | also on: Amazon, Good Reads [book release blog tour] |
| 4.50 | 06-16-2010 | Romance Junkies | |
| A Keeper | 05-17-2010 | Romance Reader At Heart | {like} |
| -- | 05-25-2010 | Romantic Crush Junkies | Giveaway and Interview |
| 4.5 / Top Pick | -- | RT {Romantic Times} Book Review | 2010 British Isle Set Historical Romance Nominee |
| -- | 06-03-2010 | Seductive Musings | [book release blog tour] {author interview} |
| 3.50 average | {8 reviews} | Shelfari | as of: February 19, 2012 |
| 4.50 | 08-02-2010 | Single Titles | |
| 3.00 | 06-14-2010 | Sky Reads and Reads | also on: Good Reads [book release blog tour] [qv] |
| 5.00 | 06-14-2010 | Starting Fresh | also on: Amazon, Good Reads [book release blog tour] |
| -- | 06-05-2010 | The Avid Reader | [book release blog tour] {author interview} |
| 4.00 | 06-...-2010 | The Bibliophilic Book Blog | also on: Good Reads [book release blog tour] |
| dnf | 07-01-2010 | The Eclectic Book Lover | also on: Good Reads [book release blog tour] {not a HR Reader} |
| 4.50 | 06-11-2010 | The Fiction Enthusiast | [book release blog tour] [qv] |
| -- | 07-12-2010 | The Romance Dish | {fifth entry} [synopsis, not a review] |
| 3.00 | -- | The Romance Readers Connection | |
| 9 / Top Pick | -- | The Season For Romance | |
| -- | 02-03-2010 | Unusual Historicals | Article: Katherine de Valois and Owen Tudor |
| 5.00 | 06-17-2010 | Yankee Romance Reviewers | also on: Good Reads [book release blog tour] [qv] |
| -- | -- | You Tube | Book Trailer |
| 4.25 | 02-20-2012 | Wolf Bear Does Books | shorter post on Amazon, Good Reads, Shelfari |
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♥ Disclaimer: I Purchased This Book
♥ Very Subjective Rating
♥ Willing to share Cheat Sheet
♦ in whole or in part
♦ WordPerfect or PDF
♣ Will add your Knight of Passion review link to table, just ask
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Margaret Mallory -- Knight of Pleasure
Rated: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ . ♥ {4.85}
Action: ♠♠♠♠.♠ / Emotion: ♣♣♣♣ / Romance: ♥♥♥♥ / Sensuous: ♦♦ / Suspense: ♠♠♠♠
Action: 4.5 / Emotion: 4 / Romance: 4 / Sensuous: 2 / Suspense: 4 // Medieval Flavor: 4.5 / Laughter: 0 / Teary: 3
♥ 2010 RITA® Finalist
♥ The Beacon -- 2010 -- Best Historical -- First Place {Tie}
♥ The Maggie -- 2010 -- Best Historical -- Winner
♥ Booksellers' Best Award -- 2010 -- Finalist
♥ Judge A Book By Its Cover Contest - 2010 Historical Grand Prize Winner
Wow! Margaret Mallory sure wrote a winner with Knight of Pleasure, her second book in All The King's Men Trilogy. Mallory wrote an interesting, attention grabbing, adventurous, historically revealing story about a carefree, mischievous knight and a careworn, honorably obedient lady during King Henry V's reign.
There was nothing sweet, nor romantic about the prologue of Knight of Pleasure. There is no way to image the horror that Isobel felt when her beloved father, Sir Edward Dobson, not only stole her childhood, but introduced her to the agony of betrayal in one mind-numbing move. Isobel's father, basically, sold his thirteen-year-old daughter to a fat, disgusting, lecher old enough to be her grandfather. (Is this going to be a recurring theme -- this is Mallory's second book -- it is also the second heroine who must suffer through years of being married off to Mr. Wrong before getting her happily-ever-after with Mr. Right.) Incidentally, found it clever that Mallory vividly and realistically described Lord Hume through the eyes of thirteen-year-old Isobel.
It is no surprise that after suffering eight years under the grunting, slobbering old man who was her husband, Isobel rejoiced (in her mind only -- no need to tell the whole world) at the arrival of widowhood. Isobel's joy at being free to rule her own castle and estate was quickly squashed by the bully on the neighboring estate, Bartholomew Graham, who had convinced gullible Lord Hume to will his estates and his wife to him, his supposedly illegitimate son.
Unable to believe she had suffered eight years only to be betrayed again, Isobel presented her case to Bishop Beaufort, the king's uncle and the wiliest of all the Lancasters. The Bishop gave Isobel another option rather than the two staring her in the face . . . {1} being married to a bully; {2} returning to her father's home (to be sold again). Thus, Isobel found herself leaving Northumberland to arrive in Caen (newly fallen under King Henry's rule) to become a wife to a man the King would chose for her.
Mallory gave readers a wonderful surprise. The fascinating troubadour featured in book one, Knight of Desire, showed up in book two, not only as a point of view character, but -- surprise, surprise, -- is revealed to be the natural father of Isobel. Sir Robert [no last name] arrives at Caen to reclaim the lands of his uncle who had sent him fleeing into obscurity years earlier to evade death threats. The philandering still 'too handsome for his own good' Sir Robert continues to spy for King Henry and becomes chaperon to Isobel before she is to be wed to Lord Philippe de Roche, a powerful man in Rouen -- a man the King hopes will prove loyal by introducing a French-English marriage.
If had not fallen in love with twelve-year-old Stephen Neville Carleton in book one, would certainly do so when he is introduced in this book as the fun, charming, mischievous knight who loves women, flirting and can still manage to ferret out all kinds of secrets. And what a wonderful picture Mallory painted when Isobel first saw the four handsome, tall, formidable, well-built men walking towards her through the bailey of Caen Castle. Isobel thought she had been transported back in time to see King Arthur's Roundtable knights.
Stephen has been avoiding marriage (and his mother and Catherine who are trying to betroth him) because he wants to find the perfect woman like Lady Catherine FitzAlan, his half-brother's wife -- a women he fell in love with at the tender age of twelve. Taught how to wield a sword and fight by William, his half-brother and now a great commander of the King's army, Stephen roams the halls of Caen Castle fending off woman who are attracted to his larger-than-life personality and want to spend time in his bed. Unbeknownst to all but a select few, Stephen is walking in Sir Robert's footsteps and using his charm and charisma to spy for the king.
When Stephen is introduced to Isobel, he is as fascinated by her as his fifteen-year-old nephew, Jamie Rayburn. Stephen could see that the attraction was mutual. As an honorable knight, Stephen, aware of the king's plans for Isobel, knowing that he could not have her, desperately fought his attraction to her. Isobel, too, tried to fight her attraction to Stephen because there is no way she would {1} be a traitor to the king (like her father), thus, accepting her betrothal to Lord de Roche, and {2} put her heart at risk of being betrayed again (as with her father) because a man who had so many women clinging to his sleeves, would never be faithful to just one.
As Stephen and Isobel were thrown into close proximity at one event after another (sometimes with the aid of Sir Robert, who was having grave doubts about de Roche's loyalties), the mutual attraction grew into desire and love. The emotional intensity of the attraction between Stephen and Isobel was intense and when they finally did make love (after a life-endangering encounter), the reader was entertained with a well-written, emotional, slightly graphic, heated love scene.
Mallory peppered Knight of Pleasure with several memorable secondary characters. The first of note, was the exquisite, clever courtesan, Claudette de Champdivers, who worked closely with Sir Robert and Stephen as a fellow spy for King Henry. (Naturally, all Isobel could see was that Stephen was womanizing again.) Claudette was an engaging, interesting, not fully-developed character. (Honestly, wished that Mallory had at least written a novella about Sir Robert and Claudette, who seemed to belong together, so could read more about their backgrounds.)
Two other secondary characters, that played a vital role during the plot line of the book, were almost identical, wily, exceptionally attractive twelve-year-old twins that Stephen rescued after the fall of Falaise -- Linnet and François [no last name]. Stephen took François under his wing as a page and introduced Linnet to Isobel to serve as ladies maid. Stephen, Isobel and readers are left in the dark as to the twins heritage and what circumstances had left them alone, with no one coming forward to claim the obviously 'of noble blood' children. (Also, this is a great marketing tool by Mallory to instill an even greater desire to read the third book of the trilogy because Linnet is the heroine of that novel.)
Thankfully, Mallory gave readers a glimpse into the ongoing love affair between William and Catherine (even though there is still no indication as to the number of children they have). Always enjoy it when authors include characters from previous books of a series into the books that follow their story. And even though he did not spend a large amount of time on the pages of Knight of Pleasure, it was great to see Jamie, at the cusp of manhood, fighting beside his father and uncle.
Would like to point out one passage (out of many featured in this book) that showcased Mallory's wonderful talent when it came to throwing in very interesting historical facts -- showing her depth of research of this time period. As a student who absolutely hated history classes (boring recitation of historical names, facts, dates -- eewwwhhh!), it is a pleasure to learn history via a talented author. The following passage came into play when Isobel saw her beloved brother, Geoffrey, entering the bailey of Caen and ran to meet him:
To summarize: Knight of Pleasure, the second book in Margaret Mallory's All The King's Men Trilogy is a must read those who enjoy a good medieval romance. It contains: {1} a hunky, exceptionally skilled honorable knight who is fun, charming, charismatic and a ladies man who finally falls for his soul mate; {2} a beautiful, intelligent, emotionally damaged but warm-hearted heroine, who struggles to find a way to deal with the obstacles placed in her path; {3} lots of action and adventure to keep the story moving at a quick, interesting pace; {4} well-written scenes that inspire an emotional connection to Stephen and Isobel as they seek happiness; {5} love scenes that feature a deep emotional joining, with a bit of heat and a tad of sizzle; {6} a sense of intrigue permeates the entire book because unfolding events make it seem impossible that Stephen and Isobel will ever get to be together; {7} a wonderful, short visit with characters that were featured in the first book of the series; {8} interesting, 'want to know more about them' secondary characters, who add depth and wonder to the story; {9} tidbits of historical information that showcase Mallory's knowledge base about the century in which she has chosen to place her story; {10} an exciting, 'hero must save the heroine' finale; and {11} an epilogue that draws a few tears and inspires forgiveness.
Am anxious to read the last book of the trilogy, Knight of Passion.
--Vonda M. Reid (Monday, January 16, 2012 : 5:06 p.m.)
All The King's Men Trilogy
Knight of Pleasure Quotations:
Characters Found In "Knight of Pleasure"
Margaret Mallory
♠ Website
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Knight of Pleasure Reviews:
Notes:
♥ Disclaimer: I Purchased This Book
♥ Very Subjective Rating
♥ Willing to share Cheat Sheet
♦ in whole or in part
Action: ♠♠♠♠.♠ / Emotion: ♣♣♣♣ / Romance: ♥♥♥♥ / Sensuous: ♦♦ / Suspense: ♠♠♠♠
Action: 4.5 / Emotion: 4 / Romance: 4 / Sensuous: 2 / Suspense: 4 // Medieval Flavor: 4.5 / Laughter: 0 / Teary: 3
♥ The Beacon -- 2010 -- Best Historical -- First Place {Tie}
♥ The Maggie -- 2010 -- Best Historical -- Winner
♥ Booksellers' Best Award -- 2010 -- Finalist
♥ Judge A Book By Its Cover Contest - 2010 Historical Grand Prize Winner
Wow! Margaret Mallory sure wrote a winner with Knight of Pleasure, her second book in All The King's Men Trilogy. Mallory wrote an interesting, attention grabbing, adventurous, historically revealing story about a carefree, mischievous knight and a careworn, honorably obedient lady during King Henry V's reign.
There was nothing sweet, nor romantic about the prologue of Knight of Pleasure. There is no way to image the horror that Isobel felt when her beloved father, Sir Edward Dobson, not only stole her childhood, but introduced her to the agony of betrayal in one mind-numbing move. Isobel's father, basically, sold his thirteen-year-old daughter to a fat, disgusting, lecher old enough to be her grandfather. (Is this going to be a recurring theme -- this is Mallory's second book -- it is also the second heroine who must suffer through years of being married off to Mr. Wrong before getting her happily-ever-after with Mr. Right.) Incidentally, found it clever that Mallory vividly and realistically described Lord Hume through the eyes of thirteen-year-old Isobel.
It is no surprise that after suffering eight years under the grunting, slobbering old man who was her husband, Isobel rejoiced (in her mind only -- no need to tell the whole world) at the arrival of widowhood. Isobel's joy at being free to rule her own castle and estate was quickly squashed by the bully on the neighboring estate, Bartholomew Graham, who had convinced gullible Lord Hume to will his estates and his wife to him, his supposedly illegitimate son.
Unable to believe she had suffered eight years only to be betrayed again, Isobel presented her case to Bishop Beaufort, the king's uncle and the wiliest of all the Lancasters. The Bishop gave Isobel another option rather than the two staring her in the face . . . {1} being married to a bully; {2} returning to her father's home (to be sold again). Thus, Isobel found herself leaving Northumberland to arrive in Caen (newly fallen under King Henry's rule) to become a wife to a man the King would chose for her.
Mallory gave readers a wonderful surprise. The fascinating troubadour featured in book one, Knight of Desire, showed up in book two, not only as a point of view character, but -- surprise, surprise, -- is revealed to be the natural father of Isobel. Sir Robert [no last name] arrives at Caen to reclaim the lands of his uncle who had sent him fleeing into obscurity years earlier to evade death threats. The philandering still 'too handsome for his own good' Sir Robert continues to spy for King Henry and becomes chaperon to Isobel before she is to be wed to Lord Philippe de Roche, a powerful man in Rouen -- a man the King hopes will prove loyal by introducing a French-English marriage.
If had not fallen in love with twelve-year-old Stephen Neville Carleton in book one, would certainly do so when he is introduced in this book as the fun, charming, mischievous knight who loves women, flirting and can still manage to ferret out all kinds of secrets. And what a wonderful picture Mallory painted when Isobel first saw the four handsome, tall, formidable, well-built men walking towards her through the bailey of Caen Castle. Isobel thought she had been transported back in time to see King Arthur's Roundtable knights.
Stephen has been avoiding marriage (and his mother and Catherine who are trying to betroth him) because he wants to find the perfect woman like Lady Catherine FitzAlan, his half-brother's wife -- a women he fell in love with at the tender age of twelve. Taught how to wield a sword and fight by William, his half-brother and now a great commander of the King's army, Stephen roams the halls of Caen Castle fending off woman who are attracted to his larger-than-life personality and want to spend time in his bed. Unbeknownst to all but a select few, Stephen is walking in Sir Robert's footsteps and using his charm and charisma to spy for the king.
When Stephen is introduced to Isobel, he is as fascinated by her as his fifteen-year-old nephew, Jamie Rayburn. Stephen could see that the attraction was mutual. As an honorable knight, Stephen, aware of the king's plans for Isobel, knowing that he could not have her, desperately fought his attraction to her. Isobel, too, tried to fight her attraction to Stephen because there is no way she would {1} be a traitor to the king (like her father), thus, accepting her betrothal to Lord de Roche, and {2} put her heart at risk of being betrayed again (as with her father) because a man who had so many women clinging to his sleeves, would never be faithful to just one.
As Stephen and Isobel were thrown into close proximity at one event after another (sometimes with the aid of Sir Robert, who was having grave doubts about de Roche's loyalties), the mutual attraction grew into desire and love. The emotional intensity of the attraction between Stephen and Isobel was intense and when they finally did make love (after a life-endangering encounter), the reader was entertained with a well-written, emotional, slightly graphic, heated love scene.
Mallory peppered Knight of Pleasure with several memorable secondary characters. The first of note, was the exquisite, clever courtesan, Claudette de Champdivers, who worked closely with Sir Robert and Stephen as a fellow spy for King Henry. (Naturally, all Isobel could see was that Stephen was womanizing again.) Claudette was an engaging, interesting, not fully-developed character. (Honestly, wished that Mallory had at least written a novella about Sir Robert and Claudette, who seemed to belong together, so could read more about their backgrounds.)
Two other secondary characters, that played a vital role during the plot line of the book, were almost identical, wily, exceptionally attractive twelve-year-old twins that Stephen rescued after the fall of Falaise -- Linnet and François [no last name]. Stephen took François under his wing as a page and introduced Linnet to Isobel to serve as ladies maid. Stephen, Isobel and readers are left in the dark as to the twins heritage and what circumstances had left them alone, with no one coming forward to claim the obviously 'of noble blood' children. (Also, this is a great marketing tool by Mallory to instill an even greater desire to read the third book of the trilogy because Linnet is the heroine of that novel.)
Thankfully, Mallory gave readers a glimpse into the ongoing love affair between William and Catherine (even though there is still no indication as to the number of children they have). Always enjoy it when authors include characters from previous books of a series into the books that follow their story. And even though he did not spend a large amount of time on the pages of Knight of Pleasure, it was great to see Jamie, at the cusp of manhood, fighting beside his father and uncle.
Would like to point out one passage (out of many featured in this book) that showcased Mallory's wonderful talent when it came to throwing in very interesting historical facts -- showing her depth of research of this time period. As a student who absolutely hated history classes (boring recitation of historical names, facts, dates -- eewwwhhh!), it is a pleasure to learn history via a talented author. The following passage came into play when Isobel saw her beloved brother, Geoffrey, entering the bailey of Caen and ran to meet him:
"she nearly tumbled down the stairs, which were built at uneven heights to trip attackers." (page 75)One other note. After reading reviews of Knight of Desire, found it interesting that several readers took exception to Mallory's overuse of the phrase "for sooth." Did not even notice the phrase when reading book one, but after this phrase was highlighted as irritating, noticed that it appeared in this book as well. Found it interesting that only noticed the phrase because some other reader found it annoying.
To summarize: Knight of Pleasure, the second book in Margaret Mallory's All The King's Men Trilogy is a must read those who enjoy a good medieval romance. It contains: {1} a hunky, exceptionally skilled honorable knight who is fun, charming, charismatic and a ladies man who finally falls for his soul mate; {2} a beautiful, intelligent, emotionally damaged but warm-hearted heroine, who struggles to find a way to deal with the obstacles placed in her path; {3} lots of action and adventure to keep the story moving at a quick, interesting pace; {4} well-written scenes that inspire an emotional connection to Stephen and Isobel as they seek happiness; {5} love scenes that feature a deep emotional joining, with a bit of heat and a tad of sizzle; {6} a sense of intrigue permeates the entire book because unfolding events make it seem impossible that Stephen and Isobel will ever get to be together; {7} a wonderful, short visit with characters that were featured in the first book of the series; {8} interesting, 'want to know more about them' secondary characters, who add depth and wonder to the story; {9} tidbits of historical information that showcase Mallory's knowledge base about the century in which she has chosen to place her story; {10} an exciting, 'hero must save the heroine' finale; and {11} an epilogue that draws a few tears and inspires forgiveness.
Am anxious to read the last book of the trilogy, Knight of Passion.
--Vonda M. Reid (Monday, January 16, 2012 : 5:06 p.m.)
♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦
All The King's Men Trilogy
| # | Date | Title | Hero | Heroine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01. | 07-2009 | Knight of Desire | William Neville FitzAlan, knight | Lady Mary Catherine Rayburn, Ross Castle |
| 02. | 12-2009 | Knight of Pleasure | Sir Stephen Neville Carleton, knight | Lady Isobel Hume, expert swordsman |
| 03. | 06-2010 | Knight of Passion | Sir James "Jamie" Rayburn, knight | Lady Linnet |
♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦
Knight of Pleasure Quotations:
| 101 | "Since the day her childhood came to a crashing end, she'd done what she should and what she must. She was sick to death of it." |
| 150 | "She did not bother telling him that what a woman deserved had very little to do with what she got, at least in this life." |
| 156 | "What she did to him! He felt better about himself when he was around her. More interesting. More clever. Certainly more virtuous! He wanted to protect her, drive the sadness from her eyes." |
| 211 | "wept for all that she wanted and could not have." |
♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦
Characters Found In "Knight of Pleasure"
| Character / Location | Description / Relationships |
|---|---|
| Sir Stephen Neville Carleton Caen, Duchy of Normandy Rouen, Normandy | [Hero] enjoyed women (talking, flirting, bedding) (25) 25-y-o (30) bold; easily amused; skilled knight (31) witty; charming; deceptive charm; much-lauded talent for learning secrets (32) tall; formidable; well-built; animated; handsome; rich, envy-inducing auburn shoulder-length hair; long, lithe frame; walked with easy catlike grace (42) every feature pleasing; black slash eyebrows; hard planes of cheek and jaw; strong, straight nose; wide, mobile mouth; eyes almost matched color of hair, but few shades darker, more brown than chestnut; melodic voice; even white teeth; mischievous; originally from Northumberland (44) drawn to trouble like bear to honey (46) curiosity his weakness (52) not afraid to play with fire (69) patient teacher (83) grace and beauty with sword, movements fluid and effortless (96) hard muscles of his chest; rough hair over sinewy muscle and warm skin (195) auburn hair a hundred shades of red and gold; straight dark brows; strong jaw and cheekbones; blade nose; glint of bristles from day's growth of beard; generous mouth (203) |
| Lady Isobel Hume Northumberland, England Caen, Duchy of Normandy Rouen, Normandy | [Heroine] image of her lovely mother; spirited; lively (4) beauty (14) 22 years old (34) strong will; great beauty (35) Robert's daughter (37) dark-haired beauty; green eyes (45) braids wound in gold mesh attached to her headdress; pale skin; lovely delicate features; appeared fragile; not weak; elegant line to neck; slender, shapely form (45) full-throated, joyful laugh (56) honest; fair (58) Issie, Geoffrey's nickname (76) full, round breasts (140) |
| Bishop Beaufort Northumberland, England | [Actual Historical Character / Secondary Character] Isobel and Edward went to him to petition to keep the Hume lands // king's uncle; wiliest of all the Lancasters; extremely wealthy (18) exuded power; luxurious vestments of his office (19) powerful; keen interest; sharp gaze (20) King Henry's tutor (63) |
| Guy de Bouteiller Rouen, Normandy | [One Appearance] Rouen garrison commander; Stephen liked (302) |
| Kate Carleton Northumberland, England | [One Appearance / Epilogue] Stephen and Isobel's daughter; red hair; mischievous smile like Stephen's (362) |
| Odette de Champdivers | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] mistress to king of France; Louis sent Odette to king in queen's stead for 20 years (69) |
| Claudette de Champdivers Caen, Duchy of Normandy | [Secondary Character] Secretly working with Sir Robert and Stephen to spy for King Henry // Odette's cousin; quite beautiful, exquisite; fair hair (68) clever; saved her money; kept her independence (69) lovely courtesan (84) delicate eyebrows (130) crystal blue eyes (134) tinkling laugh that drew men's attention (135) |
| Sir Edward Dobson Northumberland, England | [Secondary Character] Isobel's father (15) bullish frame; booming voice (16) self-interest (66) barrel-chested (123) |
| Geoffrey [Dodson] Caen, Duchy of Normandy | [Secondary Character] Isobel's brother (1) day-dreamer (3) sweet, dreamy; no soldier (15) with Gloucester's army (36) ever the peacemaker (77) barrel-chested, like father (123) |
| Margaret [Dobson] | [No Appearance] Isobel's mother (35) |
| Father Dunne Hume Castle, Northumberland | [One Appearance] Hume castle chaplain; needed bath (7) weasel (12) |
| Lady Catherine FitzAlan Caen, Duchy of Normandy | [Minor Secondary Character] [Heroine of "Book One"] William's wife (29) beautiful; courageous; full of opinions and laughter (30) iron will (72) breathtakingly beautiful; fair (230) eyes as blue as Jamie's; light, feminine scent (231) |
| Lord William FitzAlan Caen, Duchy of Normandy | [Major Secondary Character] [Hero of "Book One"] Stephen's half brother; great commander (26) tall; formidable; well-built; dark golden; commanding; grave; handsome (42) looked at through slew dragons for breakfast; kindness in eyes (43) |
| Bartholomew Graham Hume Castle, Northumberland | [Minor Secondary Character] cheat; bully (3) Hume's neighbor; fine gray eyes; overly familiar with Isobel; liar; good looks; easy charm (9) not merely shallow and selfish, but cunning and ruthless; handsome face and easy manner hid man of no honor (14) black heart (45) |
| Lady Graham | [No Appearance] Bartholomew's mother; wealthy widow; notorious in this part of the Borders; kept her son's parentage secret (13) |
| Lord Hume Hume Castle, Northumberland | [One Appearance] Isobel's husband for eight long years // old man; lumbering walk, like a pregnant cow; loose skin hanging from his neck (3) puffy bags under droopy eyes; jeweled belt around immense belly (4) didn't bathe (7) not a well-loved lord; miserly (8) peckish old man; whiner; constant demands; tedious conversation; food and drink dribbled down his chins (11) |
| Jamieson | [No Appearance] Hume tenant; wanted to marry miller's daughter |
| Henry Lancaster | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] past king |
| King Henry [Lancaster] Caen, Duchy of Normandy | [Actual Historical Character / Major Secondary Character] Arranged Isobel's marriage to try to promote peace in Normandy // new young king (19) indulged in neither women, nor drink, intolerant of those who did (31) [history: legend at 30-y-o; led men into battle at 13; commanded armies at 16; crowned at 26; unified the nobles, brought an end to years of chaos and rebellion; created link with commoners by making English the language of his court (64)] strong (225) magnetic hazel eyes (250) |
| Thomás LeFevre Rouen, Normandy | [Secondary Character] Isobel recognized he was the man who attacked William at L'Abbaye de Saint Michele // black hair (305) de Roche's cousin; dangerous man; his young half sister is de Roche's wife (308) |
| Lightning | Stephen's horse (37) |
| Linnet Falaise and Caen, Normandy | [Secondary Character] [Heroine of "Book Three"] Stephen saved when William's army captured Falaise; took back to Caen with him to become Isobel's maid // nearly identical face to twin; fair hair; wily (124) spoke English; rascal (120) can read (127) twelve (128) exuberant (140) |
| François Falaise and Caen, Normandy | [Secondary Character] Stephen saved when William's army captured Falaise; took back to Caen with him as servant // Linnet's twin nearly identical face to twin; fair hair; wily (124) |
| Marie de Lisieux Caen, Duchy of Normandy | [Secondary Character] After Stephen ended liaison, she continued to seek his company // blond hair; lot of woman (24) married; insatiable (25) thrived on trouble (26) ample bosom (39) no scruples; practiced infelicity; trouble; perfume too strong (39) |
| Monsieur de Lisieux Caen, Duchy of Normandy | [Minor Secondary Character] at party, tried to get Isobel into his bed // broken veins, blotchy color to face showed signs of excessive drink (85) |
| Louis d'Orléans | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] brother to King Charles; Odette was his mistress; had an affair with queen (69) |
| Sir John Popham Caen, Duchy of Normandy | [Secondary Character] King Henry wants Stephen to be an administrator serving Popham // new bailli of Caen (31) pleasant round face; boring (71) |
| Jamie Rayburn Caen, Duchy of Normandy | [Major Secondary Character] [Hero of "Book Three"] Stephen's nephew; 15-y-o (28) tall; formidable; well-built; dark hair; handsome (42) William's son (43) deep blue eyes; dark hair; too handsome for his own good (50) eyes as blue as Catherine's (231) |
| Sir Robert Caen, Duchy of Normandy | [Major Secondary Character] joined King Henry in Caen; ready to reclaim his rightful place as Normandy nobleman // tall; elegantly dressed; distinctive white-blond hair (32) face showed few more laugh lines; women fell at his feet and into his bed with regularity; twenty years as traveling musician; Normandy nobleman; spy for King Henry (33) more angel-like beauty than handsome; kind (41) tall; formidable; well-built (42) sea-green eyes (84) |
| Lord Philippe de Roche Caen, Duchy of Normandy Rouen, Normandy | [Major Secondary Character] King Henry betroths him to Isobel // powerful man in Rouen (34) member of Burgundy faction; only true loyalty is to himself (35) rides with guard of 20 (65) self-interest (66) young; strongly built; well dressed; almost black hair pulled back in red ribbon (112) vision of masculine beauty; an Adonis; mustache and trim goatee to match his hair; deep, rumbling voice; cool gray eyes (113) confident; arrogant; unruffled (114) serious (121) respectful; attentive; serious; responsible; tedious; lack of humor (121) cocky; over-confident (128) snake; Marie's lover (129) vanity (135) slippery (146) seriousness of purpose; no honor (310) |
| Sybille Rouen, Normandy | [Brief Appearance] delivered message to Stephen from Claudette // stunning woman; smoky dark eyes; voice rich with unspoken promises; nicely rounded bottom; Claudette's friend (300) courtesan (301) |
| Georges de la Trémoille | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] de Roche's cousin; beady-eyed; pompous ass; wily (145) |
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Knight of Pleasure Reviews:
| Rated | Posted | Site | Notes, Comments, Etc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.00 | 02-...-2010 | A Romance Review | |
| 5.00 | 12-08-2010 | All About {n} | also on: Good Reads |
| C- / warm | 12-29-2009 | All About Romance | |
| 4.71 average | {17 reviews} | Amazon | as of: February 12, 2012 |
| 4.58 average | {12 reviews} | Barnes and Noble | as of: January 17, 2012 |
| -- | 11-26-2009 | Book Junkie | Giveaway and Interview |
| -- | 11-30-2009 | Broken Teepee | [book release blog tour] [qv] |
| 4.00 | 07-19-2011 | Coffee Time Romance and More | |
| C // 3.00 | 10-10-2009 | Dear Author | short post on Good Reads |
| 3.00 | 12-08-2009 | Find The Time To Read | also on: Good Reads |
| -- | 11-21-2009 | Fresh Fiction | {positive inflection} [Plain Jane] |
| 3.94 average | {53 reviews} | Good Reads | as of: February 12, 2012 |
| -- | -- | Hachette Book Group | All The King's Men Extras |
| 3.00 / C | 01-09-2010 | Jandy's Reading Room | |
| 3.25 average | {6 reviews} | Library Thing | as of: January 17, 2012 |
| 3.50 | 02-10-2010 | Loves Romances And More | Didn't Read Book. Review Too Pat. |
| -- | 12-...-2009 | My Shelf | {positive inflection} |
| 3.50 | 08-06-2010 | Outlandish Dreaming | also on; Good Reads |
| 4.125 | {4 reviews} | Paperback Swap | as of: January 17, 2012 |
| 5.00 | 12-04-2009 | Readaholic | also on: Good Reads // Didn't Read Book. |
| 5.00 | {2 reviews} | Reader Store | as of: January 17, 2012 (10 Good Reads reviews) |
| 5.00 | -- | Reader's Favorite | |
| -- | 11-29-2009 | Romance Reader At Heart | |
| 4.00 / hot | 12-...-2009 | RT (Romantic Times) Book Review | "Pat" review! Didn't Read Book. |
| guest blog | 11-23-2009 | Running With Quills | Loved! Humanized M.M. (and other authors) |
| 5.00 average | {3 reviews} | Shelfari | as of: February 12, 2012 |
| C // 3.50 | 11-16-2009 | Smexy Books Romance Reviews | also on: Good Reads |
| 4.00 | 12-09-2009 | Starting Fresh | also on: Good Reads |
| 5.00 | 08-28-2010 | The Bibliophilic Book Blog | also on: Good Reads |
| 4.00 | 01-12-2010 | The Romance Dish | notice at: We Read |
| 5.00 | 10-19-2009 | The Romance Reviewer | also on: Amazon |
| 4.50 | -- | The Romance Readers Connection | |
| 4.00 | {1 review} | We Read | see: The Romance Dish |
| 5.00 | 01-10-2010 | Yankee Romance Reviewers | also on: Amazon, Good Reads |
| 4.85 | 02-12-2012 | Wolf Bear Does Books | shorter post on Amazon, Good Reads, Shelfari |
♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦
♥ Disclaimer: I Purchased This Book
♥ Very Subjective Rating
♥ Willing to share Cheat Sheet
♦ in whole or in part
♦ WordPerfect or PDF
♣ Will add your Knight of Pleasure review link to table, just ask
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Margaret Mallory -- Knight of Desire
Rated: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ . ♥ {4.65}
Action: ♠♠♠.♠ / Emotion: ♣♣♣.♣ / Romance: ♥♥♥.♥ / Sensuous: ♦♦♦ / Suspense: ♠♠♠.♠
Action: 3.5 / Emotion: 3.5 / Romance: 3.5 / Sensuous: 3 / Suspense: 3.5 / Medieval Flavor: 4.5 // Laugh: 2 / Tears: 1
♥ The Beacon -- 2010 -- Best Historical -- First Place {Tie}
♥ RomCon's Readers' Crown™ -- 2010 -- Best First Book -- Long Historical -- Finalist
♥ The Golden Quill-- 2010 -- Best First Book -- Finalist
♥ Barnes & Noble Heart to Heart Blog 2009 Fave Debut Romance
♥ Booklist Online: Included on list of "The New Stars of Historical Romance"
First time to read a book written by Margaret Mallory. Read her debut novel, Knight of Desire, the first book in All The King's Men Trilogy. Mallory did an amazing job of immediately inciting interest and revealing a deep sense of romance.
What a beautifully-written romantic Prologue. Cannot remember when read such a sweet, touching opening. It was really indicative of how talented Margaret Mallory's creative writing was going to be. With just that quick, sweet story about two young people at the precipice of adulthood already suffering the agonies of defeat, could not help but want to read their story about how they eventually reached the pinnacle of success . . . because it is obvious (to any dedicated romance novel reader) that this couple was going to end up with their happily ever after.
Loved the poignant closing paragraphs of the prologue:
Meanwhile, the knight leading that contingent of men, William Neville FitzAlan, was wondering what kind of woman would betray a man whose bed she slept in the last five years. It became obvious that there were going to be major bumps on the happily-ever-after road as Mallory cleverly revealed that while William was definitely a ladies man, he held not one iota of respect for the fairer sex because of his parentage and his mother's lack of fidelity. As expected, William was pleasantly shocked when he saw that not only was he awarded titles and lands from the king for his service, but his new wife-to-be was his dream girl.
Picked up a medieval romance, hoping that it would be filled with a hunky, gorgeous knight who would pepper the pages with action and adventure. While William fit the bill as a strong, hunky, capable knight, Knight of Desire was more about the emotional roadblocks William faced than featuring William's talent as a strong leader and a talented sword wielder. Found it unique that Mallory featured this ladies man, who did not have a clue when it came to dealing with his new wife.
Disappointed that such a strong, battle-weary warrior such as William was featured as a man consumed by lust for his wife, yet was unable to trust her. Instead of being portrayed as the strong, competent warrior who rides to the rescue of his damsel in distress, William is portrayed as the one who needs saving. Only once was the heroic warrior allowed to display his outstanding skills as a warrior, fully capable of taking care of his lady and his lands. The rest of the time, he is portrayed as a man who is overshadowed by his intuitive, "able to handle any adversity" wife.
When it comes to action and adventure, Catherine is the star of this book. Even though Mallory realistically reveals and portrays Catherine as a battered wife, with an uncontrollable fear of the bedchamber, she is the character who spies for Prince Harry, saves an untold number of men from death by stopping a ferocious battle, and intelligently and almost fearlessly overcomes the obstacles placed in her path. With trust (or lack thereof) being the critical issue facing this couple, Catherine is even the first to trust William with her greatest secret.
While William spends the entire book lusting after his wife and noticing other men doing the same thing, Catherine is totally unaware of her affect on the male population. How can a woman with such strength of character, such a strong will, such uncommon beauty that entire garrisons of men are lusting for her be so unaware of her sexual magnetism. It made sense, then, that William's betrayer would resent him not only because he gained titles, wealth and lands, but the trigger that incited him to act dishonorably was that the hero got the beautiful heroine (and he didn't).
Isn't it amazing what the trigger is that sets a man on the road to dishonor. This book is filled with the question of what is honorable -- not only from what is expected from a medieval knight, but also from that knight's bride. It is obvious that Mallory did her research, because she throws in interesting historical tidbits by addressing the issues of honor as William and Catherine look at the actions of King Henry, Prince Harry, the Welsh rebel prince, Owain Glyndwr, as well as several other supporting characters.
Mallory was incredibly talented at writing supporting characters that were developed just enough to add depth and support to the story, yet left one wishing to know so much more about them. For instance, the gorgeous, charming, mysterious troubadour Robert Fass. Could not help but be fascinated, and yes, enchanted, by Robert. After meeting Robert, couldn't help but want to know more about him. How did he and Catherine develop such a deep and trusting friendship? Why was the charismatic Robert roaming the countryside, entertaining and spying to benefit Prince Harry instead of ruling his own lands? Wanted to read Robert's story.
Then there was the Abbess Talcott. Even though she was not featured in great depth throughout the entire storyline, the few scenes that featured the Abbess were awesome. Absolutely loved the Abbess's thought processes when she had to deal with William when he came to the abbey to fetch Catherine when she ran away from him. It was also intriguing that the Abbess Talcott had a warm, casual relationship with Robert Fass. Again, wanted to know so much more about these characters.
One thing that Mallory did not do (that have enjoyed while reading other books) was develop the personalities of the servants and villagers of Ross Castle. For instance, Alys, the housekeeper, and Jacob, the old man Catherine relied on, stayed strictly in the background. No cute, personality revealing scenes were featured between Catherine and Jacob. Quite a few scenes featured Alys fluttering over Catherine and talking to William, but her character was foggy and indistinct.
The two characters who are going to be featured in their own books in this trilogy were introduced in Knight of Desire. Catherine's son, Jamie, is introduced as a precocious, easy-to-love little boy who is used as one tool to show Catherine that William is a kind-hearted, caring man. Jamie's story will take place in the third book of the trilogy, Knight of Passion. The hero of the second book of the trilogy, Knight of Pleasure, is none other than William's twelve-year-old half-brother, Stephen Neville Carleton. Although William wanted nothing to do with his manipulative mother, Catherine prompted him to let the brother sent to them by Eleanor FitzAlan Carleton to remain at Ross Castle. It was so easy to be charmed by Stephen as he wormed his way into the hearts of William, Catherine, Jamie and, basically, anyone who crossed his adventurous path.
Okay, even though was deeply engrossed in the story, wondering how things were going to turn out for William and Catherine, for a while there Knight of Desire felt too long. There was just a bit too much of the "big misunderstanding" incidents that caused William and Catherine to remain at odds because of William's inability to blindly trust Catherine.
These lack of trust incidents were fueled by none other than William's trusted second in command, Edmund. Again, Mallory introduced no background information about Edmund and what prompted him to become a tool of dissension between the hero and heroine. This lack of supporting character development is one of the reasons this book did not receive the highest review rating.
Did like the romantic nature of Knight of Desire. There is no doubt that William desired Catherine and that he was eventually going to break through the barriers of her fear of bedchamber activities. Mallory did a good job of including numerous love scenes in the book that were filled with a few hot, spicy moments, but mostly concentrated on the emotional turmoil going on in the minds of William and Catherine when they made love. It was also cute that once William introduced Catherine to the pleasures of lovemaking, they couldn't get enough of one another. Mallory used these scenes to reveal {1} to Catherine the depth of William's aloneness and {2} to William the depth of Catherine's withdrawal because of his lack of trust.
In conclusion, Knight of Desire is a different medieval romance that is a joy to read. It features {1} an incredibly beautiful, strong willed, adversity-overcoming heroine who intelligently struggles to overcome obstacles in her path; {2} a hunky, driven, angst-filled hero, who wants nothing more than to belong; {3} a story that features the strengths of the heroine more than those of the hero; {4} a bit of action and adventure to keep the story interesting; {5} a strong thread of romance interwoven through the plot as the hero and heroine must learn to trust one another; {6} a tad bit of suspense -- as in, how will William and Catherine ever overcome all the difficulties (emotional and physical) thrown into their path of happiness; {7} a touch of spice and heat during numerous bouts of lovemaking; {8} although not as deep as would desire, there was an emotional connection to the protagonists during their struggles; and, finally, {9} several engaging, entertaining and interesting supporting characters (although several were under-developed).
Would surely recommend this book to readers who enjoy a good medieval romance. Am anxious to read the next two books of the trilogy.
--Vonda M. Reid (Tuesday, January 10, 2012 : 5:06 p.m.)
All The King's Men Trilogy
Knight of Desire Quotations:
Characters Found In "Knight of Desire"
Margaret Mallory
♠ Website
♣ Twitter
♥ Facebook
♣ Fantastic Fiction
♠ FictionDB
Knight of Desire Reviews:
Notes:
♥ Disclaimer: I Purchased This Book
♥ Very Subjective Rating
♥ Willing to share Cheat Sheet
♦ in whole or in part
Action: ♠♠♠.♠ / Emotion: ♣♣♣.♣ / Romance: ♥♥♥.♥ / Sensuous: ♦♦♦ / Suspense: ♠♠♠.♠
Action: 3.5 / Emotion: 3.5 / Romance: 3.5 / Sensuous: 3 / Suspense: 3.5 / Medieval Flavor: 4.5 // Laugh: 2 / Tears: 1
♥ RomCon's Readers' Crown™ -- 2010 -- Best First Book -- Long Historical -- Finalist
♥ The Golden Quill-- 2010 -- Best First Book -- Finalist
♥ Barnes & Noble Heart to Heart Blog 2009 Fave Debut Romance
♥ Booklist Online: Included on list of "The New Stars of Historical Romance"
First time to read a book written by Margaret Mallory. Read her debut novel, Knight of Desire, the first book in All The King's Men Trilogy. Mallory did an amazing job of immediately inciting interest and revealing a deep sense of romance.
What a beautifully-written romantic Prologue. Cannot remember when read such a sweet, touching opening. It was really indicative of how talented Margaret Mallory's creative writing was going to be. With just that quick, sweet story about two young people at the precipice of adulthood already suffering the agonies of defeat, could not help but want to read their story about how they eventually reached the pinnacle of success . . . because it is obvious (to any dedicated romance novel reader) that this couple was going to end up with their happily ever after.
Loved the poignant closing paragraphs of the prologue:
"For many years William dreamed of that night. In his dreams, though, he held her in his arms by the river in the moonlight. In his dreams, he kissed the worry and fear from her face. In his dreams, he rescued her from her unhappy fate.Mallory opened the book by introducing the incredibly intelligent, strong-willed, beaten, but not defeated heroine, Mary Catherine Rayburn, as she anxiously waited behind the walls of Ross Castle to see if the note she sent to her childhood friend, Prince Harry, about her evil, mean-spirited, traitorous husband meeting with a band of Welsh rebels would result in her death or widowhood. Catherine revealed her strength of spirit when she rose from her sick bed to greet the contingent of men flying the king's banner arriving at the castle gates.
In his dreams, she was his."
Meanwhile, the knight leading that contingent of men, William Neville FitzAlan, was wondering what kind of woman would betray a man whose bed she slept in the last five years. It became obvious that there were going to be major bumps on the happily-ever-after road as Mallory cleverly revealed that while William was definitely a ladies man, he held not one iota of respect for the fairer sex because of his parentage and his mother's lack of fidelity. As expected, William was pleasantly shocked when he saw that not only was he awarded titles and lands from the king for his service, but his new wife-to-be was his dream girl.
Picked up a medieval romance, hoping that it would be filled with a hunky, gorgeous knight who would pepper the pages with action and adventure. While William fit the bill as a strong, hunky, capable knight, Knight of Desire was more about the emotional roadblocks William faced than featuring William's talent as a strong leader and a talented sword wielder. Found it unique that Mallory featured this ladies man, who did not have a clue when it came to dealing with his new wife.
Disappointed that such a strong, battle-weary warrior such as William was featured as a man consumed by lust for his wife, yet was unable to trust her. Instead of being portrayed as the strong, competent warrior who rides to the rescue of his damsel in distress, William is portrayed as the one who needs saving. Only once was the heroic warrior allowed to display his outstanding skills as a warrior, fully capable of taking care of his lady and his lands. The rest of the time, he is portrayed as a man who is overshadowed by his intuitive, "able to handle any adversity" wife.
When it comes to action and adventure, Catherine is the star of this book. Even though Mallory realistically reveals and portrays Catherine as a battered wife, with an uncontrollable fear of the bedchamber, she is the character who spies for Prince Harry, saves an untold number of men from death by stopping a ferocious battle, and intelligently and almost fearlessly overcomes the obstacles placed in her path. With trust (or lack thereof) being the critical issue facing this couple, Catherine is even the first to trust William with her greatest secret.
While William spends the entire book lusting after his wife and noticing other men doing the same thing, Catherine is totally unaware of her affect on the male population. How can a woman with such strength of character, such a strong will, such uncommon beauty that entire garrisons of men are lusting for her be so unaware of her sexual magnetism. It made sense, then, that William's betrayer would resent him not only because he gained titles, wealth and lands, but the trigger that incited him to act dishonorably was that the hero got the beautiful heroine (and he didn't).
Isn't it amazing what the trigger is that sets a man on the road to dishonor. This book is filled with the question of what is honorable -- not only from what is expected from a medieval knight, but also from that knight's bride. It is obvious that Mallory did her research, because she throws in interesting historical tidbits by addressing the issues of honor as William and Catherine look at the actions of King Henry, Prince Harry, the Welsh rebel prince, Owain Glyndwr, as well as several other supporting characters.
Mallory was incredibly talented at writing supporting characters that were developed just enough to add depth and support to the story, yet left one wishing to know so much more about them. For instance, the gorgeous, charming, mysterious troubadour Robert Fass. Could not help but be fascinated, and yes, enchanted, by Robert. After meeting Robert, couldn't help but want to know more about him. How did he and Catherine develop such a deep and trusting friendship? Why was the charismatic Robert roaming the countryside, entertaining and spying to benefit Prince Harry instead of ruling his own lands? Wanted to read Robert's story.
Then there was the Abbess Talcott. Even though she was not featured in great depth throughout the entire storyline, the few scenes that featured the Abbess were awesome. Absolutely loved the Abbess's thought processes when she had to deal with William when he came to the abbey to fetch Catherine when she ran away from him. It was also intriguing that the Abbess Talcott had a warm, casual relationship with Robert Fass. Again, wanted to know so much more about these characters.
One thing that Mallory did not do (that have enjoyed while reading other books) was develop the personalities of the servants and villagers of Ross Castle. For instance, Alys, the housekeeper, and Jacob, the old man Catherine relied on, stayed strictly in the background. No cute, personality revealing scenes were featured between Catherine and Jacob. Quite a few scenes featured Alys fluttering over Catherine and talking to William, but her character was foggy and indistinct.
The two characters who are going to be featured in their own books in this trilogy were introduced in Knight of Desire. Catherine's son, Jamie, is introduced as a precocious, easy-to-love little boy who is used as one tool to show Catherine that William is a kind-hearted, caring man. Jamie's story will take place in the third book of the trilogy, Knight of Passion. The hero of the second book of the trilogy, Knight of Pleasure, is none other than William's twelve-year-old half-brother, Stephen Neville Carleton. Although William wanted nothing to do with his manipulative mother, Catherine prompted him to let the brother sent to them by Eleanor FitzAlan Carleton to remain at Ross Castle. It was so easy to be charmed by Stephen as he wormed his way into the hearts of William, Catherine, Jamie and, basically, anyone who crossed his adventurous path.
Okay, even though was deeply engrossed in the story, wondering how things were going to turn out for William and Catherine, for a while there Knight of Desire felt too long. There was just a bit too much of the "big misunderstanding" incidents that caused William and Catherine to remain at odds because of William's inability to blindly trust Catherine.
These lack of trust incidents were fueled by none other than William's trusted second in command, Edmund. Again, Mallory introduced no background information about Edmund and what prompted him to become a tool of dissension between the hero and heroine. This lack of supporting character development is one of the reasons this book did not receive the highest review rating.
Did like the romantic nature of Knight of Desire. There is no doubt that William desired Catherine and that he was eventually going to break through the barriers of her fear of bedchamber activities. Mallory did a good job of including numerous love scenes in the book that were filled with a few hot, spicy moments, but mostly concentrated on the emotional turmoil going on in the minds of William and Catherine when they made love. It was also cute that once William introduced Catherine to the pleasures of lovemaking, they couldn't get enough of one another. Mallory used these scenes to reveal {1} to Catherine the depth of William's aloneness and {2} to William the depth of Catherine's withdrawal because of his lack of trust.
In conclusion, Knight of Desire is a different medieval romance that is a joy to read. It features {1} an incredibly beautiful, strong willed, adversity-overcoming heroine who intelligently struggles to overcome obstacles in her path; {2} a hunky, driven, angst-filled hero, who wants nothing more than to belong; {3} a story that features the strengths of the heroine more than those of the hero; {4} a bit of action and adventure to keep the story interesting; {5} a strong thread of romance interwoven through the plot as the hero and heroine must learn to trust one another; {6} a tad bit of suspense -- as in, how will William and Catherine ever overcome all the difficulties (emotional and physical) thrown into their path of happiness; {7} a touch of spice and heat during numerous bouts of lovemaking; {8} although not as deep as would desire, there was an emotional connection to the protagonists during their struggles; and, finally, {9} several engaging, entertaining and interesting supporting characters (although several were under-developed).
Would surely recommend this book to readers who enjoy a good medieval romance. Am anxious to read the next two books of the trilogy.
--Vonda M. Reid (Tuesday, January 10, 2012 : 5:06 p.m.)
♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦
All The King's Men Trilogy
| # | Date | Title | Hero | Heroine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01. | 07-2009 | Knight of Desire | William Neville FitzAlan, knight | Lady Mary Catherine Rayburn, Ross Castle |
| 02. | 12-2009 | Knight of Pleasure | Sir Stephen Neville Carleton, knight | Lady Isobel Hume, expert swordsman |
| 03. | 06-2010 | Knight of Passion | Sir James "Jamie" Rayburn, knight | Lady Linnet |
♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦
Knight of Desire Quotations:
| 39 | . . . "it was disturbing that what he looked forward to with such lust, she so obviously dreaded." |
| 39 | "It was not good for a man to want his wife this much." |
| 95 | "I cannot abide deceit." |
| 124 | . . . "you let me have your body, but your mind and spirit are elsewhere." . . . "I want you with me. All of you" |
| 142 | "Trust came hard to a man who grew up having uncertain ties and no true place in the world." |
| 169 | "I make friends with the servants, fetch drinks for the guards." . . . "And I listen." ~ (Stephen explained why he "knew" so much) |
| 176 | . . . "he felt such an aching, overpowering sense of desolation. For the second time in his life, his world crashed down around him." |
| 284 | "The problem was not that Catherine did not recognize and appreciate her husband's many good qualities -- but that he did not recognize hers." |
♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦
Characters Found In "Knight of Desire"
| Character / Location | Description / Relationships |
|---|---|
| William Neville FitzAlan Ross Castle, England, near the Welsh border | [Hero] knight serving Earl of Northumberland (2) strong features; serious countenance; intimidated men (5) 6 years older (3) Neville (16) instinctively masked feelings (32) short bronze hair; handsome man; strong face; broad cheekbones; wide mouth; hard amber eyes; tall; well built; commanding presence (34) sense of humor (49) long lines of lean, muscled body; large, capable hands; hair on chest and head glinted gold and red (121) talented commander; skilled fighter; man who kept his word; men respected him (132) |
| Lady Mary Catherine Rayburn Ross Castle, England, near the Welsh border | [Heroine] only heir to ailing father (11) Mary (21) bold, exceedingly pretty; lithe, shapely form (24) vivid blue eyes (30) determined; clever (34) long blond hair (118) |
| Alys Ross Castle, England | [Secondary Character] made regular appearances to fret over Catherine; warmed up to William // housekeeper (15) round pink face; plump (26) |
| Thomas Beaufort Monmouth Castle, England | [One Appearance] when William dismissed Edmund from his service, he found a position for him with Beaufort // king's brother (301) |
| Henry Bolingbroke | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] king (51) |
| Prince Harry (Henry Bolingbroke) Ross and Monmouth Castles | [Actual Historical Character / Major Secondary Character] childhood friend of Catherine's; visited Ross Castle // in command of English forces fighting Welsh since sixteen (two years now) ( 67) innate sense of honor (69) young; earnest; power in him; natural leader (72) |
| Lady Eleanor FitzAlan Carleton Ross Castle, England | [Very Brief Appearance] William's mother: bold brown eyes (144) ambitious; relentless (145) Margaret's niece (152) deceitful; manipulative (152) breathtakingly beautiful (339) rich brown eyes; auburn hair; creamy skin; delicate, feminine features; curves that turned heads (340) |
| Stephen Neville Carleton Ross Castle, England | [Major Secondary Character] [Hero of "Book Two"] William's mother sent Stephen (William's half-brother) to Ross Castle so William could find him an heiress to betroth; Quote that best described Stephen: "I make friends with the servants, fetch drinks for the guards." "And I listen." (169) // twelve; good looking boy; auburn hair; warm brown eyes; smattering of freckles across his cheeks and bridge of his nose (137) appealing, almost pretty face; large dark eyes; straight nose; full rosy lips (138) 12-y-o (144) charming; talent for getting into trouble; kind; good heart (154) good humored (160) |
| Robert Fass Ross Castle, England Abbey / Wales | [Major Secondary Character] member of band of troubadours; visited at Ross Castle; used his travels with the troupe to spy and to find Catherine for William after she was abducted // rakish grin; handsome as ever; sea-green eyes; unfashionably long blond hair; joined troupe 3-y-a (169) unknown origins; mimic any accent; spoke French, English, Welsh; voice that made angels cry (170) |
| Edmund Forrester Ross Castle, England | [Major Secondary Character] sly, jealous weasel; whispered innuendos into both William and Catherine's ears // William's second in command; trusted (18) |
| Rhys Gethin Wales | [Actual Historical Character / Major Secondary Character] leader of team that abducted Catherine and Stephen; served Prince Glyndwr; wanted to wed Catherine // led Welsh forces against bloody victory at Bryn Glas (204) "The Fierce One" (237) neither fine looks nor courtly manners; everything about man was rough; long hair fell to shoulders in matted knots; muscled thighs; built like ox, broad chest, thick next; eyes black as his soul (237) |
| Gruffydd Glyndwr | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] Owain's son; held by Henry; tortured; eyes put out (212) |
| Owain Glyndwr Aberystwyth Castle, Wales Harlech Castle, Wales | [Actual Historical Character / Major Secondary Character] held Catherine for ransom; would exchange her for his captured son // Welsh rebel leader (69) late 40s; sternly handsome face lined; shoulder length dark hair streaked with iron gray; long limbs; powerful body (211) magnetism about him (219) |
| Lord Grey England | [No Appearance] Ross Castle 'neighbor'; anxious to confiscate lands // owned land north of Ross Castle (135) |
| Jacob Ross Castle, England | [Rare Appearances] old man (14) |
| Jennings Ross Castle, England | [One Appearance] Ross Castle tenant; sent on long-distance deliveries; liked to poach other men's wives; green eyes (49) |
| John | [No Appearance] William's brother; died four years ago (18) |
| Sister Katrina Abbey, English-Welsh border | [No Appearance] cute very minor scenes regarding her bad cooking // Abbey num (90) |
| Mary Ross Castle, England | [Rare Appearances] Catherine's maid (34) |
| Sister Matilde Abbey, English-Welsh border | [One Appearance] Abbey nun (89) |
| "Hotspur" Percy | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] William's half-brother // Northumberland's son; brave; reckless; rash; hot-headed (50) killed at battle of Shrewsbury (52) |
| Jamie Rayburn Ross Castle, England | [Frequent Appearances] [Hero of "Book Three"] precocious; loveable // Catherine's son (11) dark hair; three year old (26) |
| Smith Ross Castle, England | [One Appearance] Ross Castle tenant; call on for extra work; liked to be away from home, had shrew for wife (48) |
| Hugh Stratton Ross Castle, England | [One Appearance] told William (upon return from battle at Worcester) of attack; Edmund injured, no sign of Catherine or Stephen // William's man (222) |
| Abbess Talcott English-Welsh lands | [Several Important Appearances] Catherine ran away to abbey; Abbess counseled both Catherine and William; friends with Robert Lass; helped Catherine with her spying // friend of Catherine's mother; widowed without children; gift of lands to church lead to becoming head of abbey straddling English-Welsh lands (85) |
| Thomas Ross Castle, England | [Occasional Appearance] William's manservant; served William since he was 12 (56) spoke his mind (57) |
| Maddog ap Tudor English-Wales border | [Actual Historical Character / One Appearance] part of team that abducted Catherine and Stephen; served Prince Glyndwr // Maredudd's brother (203) |
| Maredudd ap Tudor Plas Penmynydd, Wales | [Actual Historical Character / Major Secondary Character] part of team that abducted Catherine and Stephen; served Prince Glyndwr; very protective of Catherine; helped William // charming; devilishly handsome (205) sharp hazel eyes (268) |
| Marged ap Tudor Plas Penmynydd, Wales | [Actual Historical Character / Minor Secondary Character] befriended hostage Catherine when she was staying at her home // Maredudd's wife (205) gray eyes; dark hair; plump; few years older than Catherine (249) |
| Owain Tudor Plas Penmynydd, Wales | [Actual Historical Character / Minor Secondary Character] Maredudd and Marged's son; beautiful child (249) |
| Owen ap Tudor English-Wales border | [Actual Historical Character / One Appearance] part of team that abducted Catherine and Stephen; served Prince Glyndwr // Maredudd's brother (203) |
| Tyler Ross Castle, England | [One Appearance] Ross Castle tenant; dishonest nature (49) |
| Father Whitefield Ross Castle, England | [One Appearance] at Ross Castle gate, told Catherine her choice between "The Tower" or marriage // bishop; Catherine's father's old friend; quick rise in church since Henry took throne (20) |
♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . . ♦
♠ Website
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Knight of Desire Reviews:
| Rated | Posted | Site | Notes, Comments, Etc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| A (overall) | 07-06-2009 | A Journey of Books | also on: Library Thing |
| 3.50 | 06-....-2009 | A Romance Review | |
| 5.00 | 07-08-2009 | All About {n} | also on: Amazon, Good Reads, Library Thing |
| C+ / Hot | 06-15-2009 | All About Romance | |
| -- | 07-08-2009 | Alpha Heroes | {positive inflection} |
| 4.30 average | {20 reviews} | Amazon | as of: January 12, 2012 |
| 4.50 average | {10 reviews} | Barnes & Noble | as of: January 11, 2012 |
| 4.50 | 04-20-2010 | Book Binge | also on: Good Reads |
| 4.00 | -- | Books On Board | as of: January 12, 2012 |
| 4.00 | 05-07-2009 | Books Reviews By Crystal | |
| 4.00 | 07-03-2009 | Chick With Books | also on: Good Reads, Library Thing |
| 5.00 | -- | Coffee Time Romance | |
| 5.00 | 03-02-2010 | Demon Lovers Books and More | also on: Good Reads |
| 4.00 | 07-02-2009 | Foreign Circus Library | |
| -- | -- | Fresh Fiction | {positive inflection} |
| 4.14 average | {81 reviews} | Good Reads | as of: January 13, 2012 |
| 4.28 average | {33 reviews} | Google Books | as of: January 11, 2012 |
| 4.00 | 09-21-2010 | Examiner . com | |
| 4.07 average | {14 reviews} | Library Thing | as of: January 11, 2012 |
| -- | -- | Michigan State Univ Alumni Assoc | profile article |
| 3.00 | 07-04-2009 | Morbid Romantic | also on: Amazon, GR, Library Thing, Paperback Swap |
| -- | 06-29-2009 | Must Read Faster | {positive inflection} |
| -- | ....-....-2009 | My Shelf | {positive inflection} |
| -- | 07-25-2010 | Not Another Romance Blog | {positive inflection} |
| 4.00 | 01-15-2010 | Outlandish Dreaming | shorter post on Good Reads, Library Thing |
| 5.00 average | {1 review} | Overstock . com | as of: January 11, 2012 |
| 3.50 average | {5 reviews} | Paperback Swap | as of: January 12, 2012 |
| 3.50 | 01-03-2010 | Ramblings On Romance | see the second entry |
| 4.40 average | {5 reviews} | Reader Store | as of: January 11, 2012 |
| 5.00 | -- | Readers Favorite | also on: B&N, Library Thing |
| -- | 06-19-2009 | Romance By The Blog | {positive inflection} |
| 4.00 | 07-27-2009 | Romance Junkies | also on: Good Reads |
| 4.25 | 07-29-2009 | Romance Novel TV | |
| {a keeper} | 07-02-2009 | Romance Reader At Heart | |
| 4.00 / Hot | -- | RT (Romantic Times) Book Reviews | |
| 3.75 (overall) | 07-07-2009 | Seductive Musings | also on: B&N |
| 4.38 average | {13 reviews} | Shelfari | as of: January 14, 2012 |
| 4.50 | 12-04-2009 | The Book Queen's Palace | also on: Amazon B&N, GR, Library Thing, Shelfari |
| -- | 01-02-2010 | The Printed Page | more notes than a review |
| 4.50 | -- | The Romance Readers Connection | |
| -- | 08-02-2009 | Unusual Historicals | interview, not a review |
| -- | 09-27-2009 | Wendi's Book Corner | {positive inflection} |
| 4.00 | {8 readers} | We Read | as of: January 14, 2012 |
| 4.65 | 01-14-2012 | Wolf Bear Does Books | shorter post on Amazon, Good Reads, Shelfari |
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♥ Disclaimer: I Purchased This Book
♥ Very Subjective Rating
♥ Willing to share Cheat Sheet
♦ in whole or in part
♦ WordPerfect or PDF
♣ Will add your Knight of Desire review link to table, just ask
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