Untamed

Untamed

by
Elizabeth Lowell

published	1993 by MacMillan Publishing Company.
binding	Library Binding
isbn	156054757X (isbn13: 9781560547570)
pages	565
description	Returning home triumphant from the Crusades, Dominic le Sabre is determined to claim the bride promised to him by the king, but the high–born...more [close] Returning home triumphant from the Crusades, Dominic le Sabre is determined to claim the bride promised to him by the king, but the high–born Celtic beauty is equally determined to resist him. [close]
date added	04-02-07 edit book

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Kym rated it:

(review of isbn 0380769530)

05/26/08

bookshelves: historical-romance

Read in January, 2006

Lady Margaret of Blackthorne knows what it means to do her duty. Her father wants her to marry his illegitimate son so that his lands will stay within the family. Her half-brother wants her to marry him so that he can finally have land of his own. Her king wants her to marry a Norman soldier to reward him for his loyalty and valor. And the Norman soldier in question wants her to marry him so that he can have heirs and land of his own. What Meg wants doesn't matter to anyone but Meg herself. When...more Lady Margaret of Blackthorne knows what it means to do her duty. Her father wants her to marry his illegitimate son so that his lands will stay within the family. Her half-brother wants her to marry him so that he can finally have land of his own. Her king wants her to marry a Norman soldier to reward him for his loyalty and valor. And the Norman soldier in question wants her to marry him so that he can have heirs and land of his own. What Meg wants doesn't matter to anyone but Meg herself. When the Norman soldier shows up for their wedding, Meg's father and half-brother have plotted a rebellion. With one word, the Lady could turn her wedding into a war, but the only thing that Meg wants is peace.

Dominic le Sabre, known as the Sword, is a fierce Norman soldier who has fought hard for the Saxon bride and land that he has been given. He comes to Blackthorne Keep eager for peace and rest after fighting in the Holy Wars. He fully expects Meg to rebel against him, and is expecting treachery at his wedding. Accordingly, he's shocked when the woman agrees to marry him, and worries about her motives. He quickly learns, however, that he need not be so pleased at the union when the joy of his wedding feast is shattered by Meg's father's speech wherein he confesses that his daughter is a Glendruid witch. According to legend, Glendruid women can only have children if there is pleasure in the marriage bed, and they can only have sons if there is love for their husbands. His final words to Dominic are a curse that his marriage will bear no fruit. And when Dominic looks at his Saxon bride, he wonders if the peace and rest, along with heirs and land, that he's wished for are beyond his reach forever.

Untamed was one of my first forays into historical romance and I remember loving it at the time. It's been at least 3 years since I last read it, and while I can see some flaws in the story now, it's still one of favorites. Meg is one of my favorite heroines because she is a healer and helper to her people. Meg's first concern is to the people of Blackthorne Keep. She knows that rebuffing Dominic will throw her land into war, causing strife and unrest among her vassals. Meg is a person who values peace, so she does her duty, despite the fact that the man in question makes it clear early on that she is only to be used as a vessel for his heirs. And Dominic le Sabre, once one of my top 10 heroes of all time, is a soldier, a warrior, and a warlord. He's known as the Sword because of his fierceness in battle, and that fierceness spreads to every aspect of his life. This is not a man who has known peace and love. He has sacrificed his life for his men, and all he wants from marriage is to have sons to carry on his name. When he learns that his bride is cursed in such a way that might not make it possible, Dominic determines to make it possible. If pleasure is what it takes for heirs, he will seduce is bride with the patience and vigilance with which he's trained his falcons and his soldiers.

Reading this book with a more critical eye, I have one big problem with the story. Dominic is distrustful of his wife from beginning to end, and it's not just the jealousy and possessiveness typical of alpha heroes. Three years ago, I found it endearing. Today, I found it aggravating. But that still doesn't change the fact that Untamed has one of my favorite scenes in any romance ever (when he addresses the people after receiving a piece of candy), and that scene alone is enough to make me recommend this book. Once you've enjoyed Untamed, be sure to read the next two books in the series Forbidden, featuring Meg's half-brother Duncan, and Enchanted, featuring Duncan's brother Simon....less

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1 comments

Diana rated it:

(review of isbn 0380769530)

02/17/08

bookshelves: historical-romance, paranormal, romance, want

Meg is forced to marry Dominc le Sabre in order to protect her home, but finds herself the object of his distrust. She is a Glendruid witch who is cursed to never bear a son unless she wins his love.

Dominic is very heavy-handed, almost to the point of being unlikeable. You really feel for Meg and the plight she finds herself in.

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