An ex-harem slave...
A reformed assassin...
A race to find the most powerful
religious artifact of all time...
read full description
A reformed assassin...
A race to find the most powerful
religious artifact of all time...
read full description
reviews
Mar 01, 2010
Leslie
rated it: 
I recall enjoying Iris Johansen books when I was really into historical romance novels. She then took a turn to writing contemporary romantic suspense which isn't a genre I've ever really latched on to. Having tried both her recent efforts, contemporary romantic suspense and historical romance, it's safe to say I'm done reading her novels.
In Treasure, which I picked up solely because it was a historical romance and I recall Johansan's historicals to be good, the dialogue is horrible More...
In Treasure, which I picked up solely because it was a historical romance and I recall Johansan's historicals to be good, the dialogue is horrible More...
Jun 15, 2011
Elizabeth
rated it: 
I love all the Eve Duncan series so when I got this one, I did not realize that it was actually a love story based in the past. I personally did not care that much for this book--though I am not one who really likes to sit down and read a harlequin-like book. This story did have some action/adventure like the Eve series and it more of a romance book than any other I have read from her. A bit of a different change. I wanted to put it down but, I did not as I kept hoping that it would get better
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Jan 23, 2009
Jodi
rated it: 
Johansen got her start as a romance writer and her historical romances were very well remembered. This isn't in their class but it was a very pleasurable way to spend some hours. Kadar always knew that Selene would be his. He was just hoping that she would trust him first. But when an old enemy demands that Kadar returns to honor an old promise, he doesn't feel that he has a choice. Kadar values his honor and word above all else. But his enemy takes Selene as a hostage just to be sure. The relat
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Jan 25, 2010
Sharon
rated it:
This was a departure from Johansen's usual modern-day suspense/romance genre. In this particular tale, we find ourselves in medieval (1196) Scotland, Turkey, Italy and other locales, chasing down the Grail.
I have to tell you that I have issue with the heroine, Selene, who is 17 years old. She is far too advanced emotionally and mentally to be believable at that age ... although her occasional sulking temper-fits definitely fit the category.
Overall, this is a well-constr More...
I have to tell you that I have issue with the heroine, Selene, who is 17 years old. She is far too advanced emotionally and mentally to be believable at that age ... although her occasional sulking temper-fits definitely fit the category.
Overall, this is a well-constr More...
Jan 13, 2011
Alison
rated it: 
A run of the mill love story set in 1196 which improved the intrigue. A young girl cast into the role of harem slave, rescued by a man trained in the black arts of death. The story involves kidnappings, assasinations, the Holy Grail, eternal life, love, and the search and desire to be able to trust another person. There are always lessons that can be learned from reading; for me the lessons centered on examing who I trust and who I can safely share with. If you have no other books on your re
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Mar 28, 2009
Sara
rated it:
I wasn't sure what to expect from a book set in the dark ages of Europe--but this was interesting. Kadar, a former assassin returns to the leader to pay a debt that will keep his friends and love safe. In doing so, he ends up taking her with him and making more bargains in order to keep her safe. Finally, he's given the task of taking a golden box that contains a grail back to the evil leader of the assassins. Instead, he and his love engage in a remarkable journey that results in them becom
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Sep 20, 2009
Becky
rated it:
Definately not my favorite. It was okay, and I didn't have a problem finishing this book. I'm actually having a harder time trying to write my review.
This was much different that I expected. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't this. Selene and Kadar are interesting characters, but the whole plot was just hard to digest. The being safe at their home castle, but not safe outside the castle walls, and then Selene's bravery in the face of danger didn't really work. Consideri More...
This was much different that I expected. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't this. Selene and Kadar are interesting characters, but the whole plot was just hard to digest. The being safe at their home castle, but not safe outside the castle walls, and then Selene's bravery in the face of danger didn't really work. Consideri More...
Feb 18, 2009
Susan
rated it:
This is a poor sequel to the historical romance novel Lion's Bride. It's been a while since I read Lion's Bride, but I remember it being rich with historical detail--the first book I read that included the Knights Templar--and character development. The Treasure reads just like Johansen's contemporary suspense books...chapter after chapter of clipped dialogue. She can get by with that style in contemporary books, but that is not the way to write historical books, particularly if you're going f
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Feb 04, 2009
MelissaB
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Aug 10, 2011
Terri
rated it:
Historical romance? Me?? Oh yeah, baby...at least now. :) Never did I think I'd enjoy a historical romance, particularly one set in the 1100s but, oh boy howdy! At the beginning, I didn't feel like I'd be able to get into to this but it only took about 5 pages before I couldn't put it down. How in the world is Iris Johansen able to build such depth of character and so many believeable details from a time over 900 years ago? Captivating and remarkable.
I just want to know what happens More...
I just want to know what happens More...
Feb 16, 2009
Renee
rated it:
I gave this 3 stars because Kedar (the hero) is so dang fabulous. Iris Johansen seriously knows how to write a male character that appeals to me. I don't usually care for historical type things, but this was good. Kind of a throw back to some of the books Iris Johansen wrote for Loveswept.
Only complaint is that it slowed down at the end. But it was a fun book to read. I just hope she does a follow up book on Vaden. Hmmmm . . . . I'm very interested to find out more about him.
Only complaint is that it slowed down at the end. But it was a fun book to read. I just hope she does a follow up book on Vaden. Hmmmm . . . . I'm very interested to find out more about him.
Jan 15, 2010
Jenna
rated it:
For me, this book was literally an ehhhhh kind of book. It's not difficult to read at all. In fact, the story is a bit annoying at times. I wanted to say to the book, "I get it, Selene is willful and bold and Kadar is distant and mysterious. Please get on with it!". But unfortunately, that's what most of the novel is about. Other than that the story was a bit much at times. It just seems so forced and awkwardly connected that it's almost unbelievable, but not in the good way.
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May 24, 2009
Lisarenee
rated it: 
Steamy historical Romance. Two lovers are tricked into a deadly quest to find and retrieve an ancient artifact that could be the holy grail which contains the power of immortality. Ex-assassin Kadar Ben Arnaud thinks he is being summoned by his old master to collect on a promise he made years earlier. When his love, Selena Ware is kidnapped, Arnaud finds himself forced to once again don the cloak of his former life as an assasin to save her.
Mar 02, 2009
Joyce
rated it:
Set in the twelfth century this a romance (and not really a bodice ripper) and mystery with a secret that some really evil people are searching for and is being protected by the protagonists. He is dark and mysterious and she is high spirited and volatile. It sounds formulaic, but Johansen is talented enough to take it beyond that. There are lots of characters and all are well-developed. I wouldn't even mind reading a follow up.
Mar 08, 2010
Amethyst
rated it:
I'm done with Iris. I've got her formula down pat and I can make up my own stories for my own amusement. Although with the same formula in every book... I did like this one alright. I'm just tired of reading the same thing in different settings.
Goodbye Iris. It's been kind of fun... kind of a waste of time... and it became extremely predictable.
Goodbye Iris. It's been kind of fun... kind of a waste of time... and it became extremely predictable.
Jul 23, 2009
Susan
rated it:
What a pleasure to find that this book followed along with characters from another Johansen book I read long ago. It is a real page turner! As always, this author uses strong women, clever dialogue, constant action, and a sprinkling of the mystical. It was nice to see a return to a setting in the past after many contemporary novels.
Dec 28, 2008
Shannon
rated it:
Not a traditional Iris Johsansen book - it was set in the 1100's. Language was stilted as was the character development. Found myself not liking any of the main characters and didn't enjoy the book at all. Note to self when specifing the "new" Iris Johansen book as a wish list item for Christmas I must be more specific.
Mar 17, 2009
Emily
rated it:
In general, I like Iris Johansen's books. The romantic suspense usually leans more towards the suspense, and this was much heavier on the romance. For some reason, it didn't keep my attention at all, unlike most of her other books. Usually I can't put them down, but this one I couldn't care if I finished.
Aug 06, 2010
Jackie
rated it:
I have always been a fan of Iris Johansen but this was not one of my favorites. I liked it and it was entertaining but it was not my favorite of her series. The lead female character was just frustrating and was annoying by the end of the book. She was too stubborn for her own good and wasn't really like her other books. Again not my favorite but she is a good writer.
Mar 07, 2009
Debbie
rated it:
I received this book for Christmas and finally got around to reading it. It wasn't too bad of a read. It was a little hard picturing the time period. It was about treasure but most of the book was about the steamy passionate relationship between the two main characters. Some violence.
Aug 10, 2011
I've been reading a lot of Iris lately and I am becoming a fan. I liked this book as much as the others . It took me a little bit to get started on this one but like all the others it came to a point where I just couldn't put it down - I had to see what happened next
Aug 02, 2011
mildly entertaining. I do like her other books better (pertaining to Eve Duncan and the rest), but it is nice to have a change up once in a while. The story did drag a bit and isn't what I normally would have read from Iris Johansen but not bad none the less
Mar 16, 2009
Heather
rated it:
Utterly predictable, formulaic mind candy, but still fun to read when you need an escape! You always know what you are getting from Iris Johansen and this novel is no exception. But who cares? Everyone needs a "chocolate" every now and then!
Apr 05, 2010
Jenny Rebecca
rated it:
I'm not sure why it took me so long to finish this. It was a book I would pick up, read for a bit, set down. Forget about. Then remember and pick it up again. I wanted to finish it, I just took my time about it.
One of my favorite books it "Lion's Bride" so I was excited to see Kadar's story. It was o.k. though I think the thing that bothered me the most is that we never had Kadar and Sabine to ourselves. They were always in iminent danger, which made it hard to get in More...
One of my favorite books it "Lion's Bride" so I was excited to see Kadar's story. It was o.k. though I think the thing that bothered me the most is that we never had Kadar and Sabine to ourselves. They were always in iminent danger, which made it hard to get in More...
Feb 12, 2009
Pat
rated it:
I usually like Johansen's writing: and I was interested in reading this sequel to her "The Lion's Bride"....but this is not one of her better books. Plot is kind of hard to follow or even care about. It was like she wrote the outline of this book years ago when maybe she hadn't honed her skills as a writer......then picked up the outline now to whip out a new book quickly.
Jan 05, 2009
E.
rated it:
A mystical Johansen tale set in the past that combines a treasure hunt, seemingly all-powerful villains and an unconventional hero and heroine. Not quite as gripping as Johansen's Sedikhan novels but likeable characters nonetheless.
Feb 10, 2011
Patti
rated it:
I LOVE THE AUTHOR, ONCE I START ONE OF HER BOOKS IT TAKES ME A COUPLE DAYS TO FINISH. tHIS BOOK IS BACK IN THE 11TH CENTURY, INTERESTING READING ABOUT A GRAIL, NOT THE HOLY ONE BUT A SPECIAL ONE. lOVE THE WAY IT ENDS, LEFT ME WANTING MORE OF THESE CHARACTERS.
Aug 07, 2011
not bad for a sequel, and did not expect much from an author who bases 75 percent of her narration in dialogue form. Characters were interesting but one needs to read the first book to understand most of the happenings.
Jul 15, 2011
Donna
rated it:
This book by Iris Johansen is just a little unusual from her other books. There is always a fantasy element in her mysteries, but this book is pure hostorical romantic fantasy. It was a little different and I enjoyed it.
Oct 09, 2010
Gina
rated it:
I really was expecting more from this book considering how much I enjoyed "Lion's Bride." Lady Selene Ware was too annoying and certainly didn't deserve Kadar's love. It was an "ok" read, nothing to brag about it.
