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Candle in the Window (Medieval Series #1)

3.8 of 5 stars 3.80 · rating details · 1,068 ratings · 69 reviews

Two lovers ignite a world of darkness with their wild, breathless passion.

Raven-haired Lady Saura of Roget was the loveliest maiden in all Christendom, unrivalled in face and figure. Yet her fortune and her day-to-day existence were controlled by her unscrupulous stepfather. She lived a life of lonely servitude until she was summoned to the castle of Sir William of Miraval...more

Paperback, 437 pages

Published April 1st 1991 by Avon

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May 10, 2013 LibraryLass rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2008, re-read, 2009, mine, h-romance, 2011, 2013

I liked this one. I didn't see any 'rape' scenes at all in this so am not sure where some readers are coming from. I enjoyed all of this esp. the hero being besotted with the heroine before she knew her feelings. This is pretty opposite to what most hist.romances do where the man is always the last to discover he is in love.
The chemistry was good and the heroine being blind worked really well. The only clanger for me was that sometimes Saura was confident and other times she was supposedly insec...more

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Mar 07, 2013 Natasha rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: bad-books

Candle in the Window by Christina Dodd is a mixed bag that ultimately is a failure as a book.

The first half of the book is a delight to read. Dodd masterfully adds historic facts from the earliest English history to her tale, giving a reader the feeling that the characters are not just in a historic setting, but living the history. Her characters are mostly simple, not drawing much depth and thus little attention from the reader – that, is, until we meet Lady Saura of Roget.

Saura is a wonderfu...more

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Feb 20, 2013 Anna D. rated it 4 of 5 stars

3.5 stars, rounded up...

I really do enjoy medieval romances, the highland men/warriors are of so deliciously big, muscular, and masculine! But then turn into putty at the hands of the heroines. Love that!

I would say that William is the standard medieval hero we love to love – a big, strong man with a bit of a temper that is never misplaced or abusive. He’s intelligent, clever, insightful, skillful (if not the best) as a warrior, rich, powerful, and loves his family – and is good with children, a...more 3.5 stars, rounded up...

I really do enjoy medieval romances, the highland men/warriors are of so deliciously big, muscular, and masculine! But then turn into putty at the hands of the heroines. Love that!

I would say that William is the standard medieval hero we love to love – a big, strong man with a bit of a temper that is never misplaced or abusive. He’s intelligent, clever, insightful, skillful (if not the best) as a warrior, rich, powerful, and loves his family – and is good with children, absolutely adorable with his son, Kimball, and also to Clare and Blaise. Oh and yes, he’s besotted with our heroine.

The heroine in this book steals the spotlight though, IMO. She’s blind, but not handicapped. She’s as strong, smart, and capable as they come. She’s absolutely gorgeous though she didn’t know it and when she’s told she is, it’s of no real consequence to her – other than the fact that she’s happy her looks pleases William. She’s tortured – lost her father before she was born, separated from her mother as an infant/toddler and until the age of 19, she’s been leered at, overworked, mocked, and beaten by her stepfather. Her guardian angels – her mother, Maude, and half-brothers – did their best to protect her, but she didn’t come out unscathed. She struggles to feel worthy of love – even though everyone one falls in love with her. This is her obstacle with William, that she doesn’t feel she’s good enough for the rich and best warrior in all of Christendom. The scene where the brothers talk to William and explain that their father, Theobold, all left a legacy within each child was wonderful because it shows that even though they didn’t have physical scars – each of the children carry emotional scars with them, then we could sense William’s strong protective instincts turn on to make sure that the young ones, Clare and Blaise, are spared.

The love story is very sweet, more so than normal because the H/h really started to care and respect each other for who they are before physical attraction came to play. However, the strong, lustful, loving attraction between the H/h follow and is very sexy! Every time they hold and kiss each other it’s properly done! We definitely feel the urgency and deep need - as they get lost in the moment and in each other – even though they try to tame it down for propriety’s sake. What I also found interesting with this couple is that they have longer conversations with each other that I’m used to reading, especially at the end. It only makes sense because they do have issues to resolve and we get to see it, but not in bits and pieces. I liked it very much.

The mystery and suspense part was a good addition to the plot. I was very curious to find out which of William’s friends were the villains – however the reveal is actually not a surprise – that in itself, I suppose, is the surprise. (view spoiler) My one complaint is that the book is drawn out. It’s a romance, so there were pages upon unnecessary pages of detail and plot points about the mystery that didn’t add to the story. Therefore, although the mystery was a good addition, it also created an unwanted distraction and I’m one of those people who try not to skim through things – though for this book, I wish I did. This is an early work by Christina Dodd, so I would hope she’s just gotten better over the years. I will definitely read more from her in the future.
(less)

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Jan 24, 2012 Susan Ross rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

I would have given this book 4 or 5 stars if the story hadn't seemed to drag towards the end. It's about 100 pages longer than The Runaway Princess which I also just read and I don't think it needed to be.

The plot is wonderful with the exception of the nepharious plan to destroy the hero, which I think took too many pages to resolve. I realize the author wanted twists and turns in the story but to me it was like a car chase in a movie that lasts too long.

The relationship between the two lead ch...more

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May 04, 2011 Beatrizz1983 rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

La verdad es que no soy muy partidaria de esta autora.. pero reconozco que esta novela me ha gustado bastante. Es un poco larga para ser una novela de Titania, ya que tiene casi quinientas páginas.. y en algún momento la lectura experimenta algún bajón.. pero aún así está muy bien. Es una novela tierna, de amor y superación.. que habla de una chica ciega.. una chica ciega.. y voy a meter un spoiler.. pero es algo que se sabe.. que no se va a curar.. Ella es ciega, lo tiene asumido, y vive con el...more

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Apr 09, 2011 Kristine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, romance-historical

Christina Dodd is one of my go-to authors. I love her writing, although I admit that her older stuff is not usually what I read. Candle in the Window is the story of Lady Saura and Sir William. During battle William is injured, losing his sight. William's father comes to Saura asking her to come help William. Blinded since birth, Saura understands William's unwillingness to accept his new blindness and agrees to help.

When she arrives William is beyond surley. He's unkept and unkind. He barks at...more

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Nov 19, 2011 Kathy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 1100's - England -j 100 years after Norman invations, unrest - dawning of Prince Henry -

Lady Saura - blind since birth, raised and loved by her mother's lady who serves as her hands and eyes now that she is 19; loved by her mother, who expected and provided for her to live normally, to run in the sunshine, and trained her to run the castle and her holdings; her 5 half brothers loved her and were raised to protect her; and her evil stepfather abused her emotionally and sometimes physically, lust...more 1100's - England -j 100 years after Norman invations, unrest - dawning of Prince Henry -

Lady Saura - blind since birth, raised and loved by her mother's lady who serves as her hands and eyes now that she is 19; loved by her mother, who expected and provided for her to live normally, to run in the sunshine, and trained her to run the castle and her holdings; her 5 half brothers loved her and were raised to protect her; and her evil stepfather abused her emotionally and sometimes physically, lusting after her, demeaning her, and keeping her unwed so as to keep the income from her lands even as she run his household for his teen wife.

Sir William - a brave, strong, effective knight, raised by a loving father - has proven able to manage and defend their holdings; 3 friends from his youth were fostered by his father, to learn to be knights (Raymond, Charles, and Nicholas); he learned to love the wife his father chose for him, and has a son - she died in childbirth with their 2nd... his mother died. And he is hit in the back of the head during a minor skirmish, and is blinded; and for months he is in dispair, refusing to leave the castle, unwilling to adjust. Raymond tells his father, Sir Peter, that he heard of a castle whose staff was run by a blind woman...

Sir Peter investigates, observes and sees the beautiful Saura and how she quietly handles the running of dinner and her drinking, he listens to the mean speaking, drinking stepfather. and then he goes to Maud and Saura, requesting her help in helping his son -j and they come up with a ruse that she will come in as the housekeeper, that she is matronly of a nunnery, and that William is not to know she is blind and there primarily to help him. On meeting him, without pity she confronts his slovenly no care of things he can do - calling him stinking drinking, a blind halfman, and that they'd move around him like he was a part of the furniture.

And while she cleans the castle, he listens to how she handles the servants - with patience, firmness, and conniving (when servants meander through the assignment of cleaning the kitchen, the go to bed without dinner - no kitchen to fix it in), and he starts to realize that his other senses still work. After dealing with a recalicant servant, he demands a bath - a turning point. The ladies bathe him, and he pulls Saura in, fondling & kissing her... she cannot protest because he cannot know it is her - and they are both enjoying until Maud pulls her out of the tub. They send a servant to him of her general build (and with her teeth), but he is not fooled, and he starts to suspect Saura is not what they have represented her to be (after eliminating all of the maids by kissing them, trying to find the one in his bath). He is 'finding' his legs - stretching his limits - listening to problems, working on the accounts, ropes to allow him to walk into the woods, and he rides a horse that is on a lead... and his 4 friends come to visit - Raymond, who quietly extends his understaning, Charles, who is jovial, Arthus, who is quiet, and Nicholas, whose words on the surface are nice, but are putting down his accomplishments - and the friends and his father talk about past battles, and William quietly drank - and wehn they go off to bed, Saura, afraid their good work was going to be undone spoke with William - shaming him with people who are worse of than him - and he gets her to admit he is not a nun... and then that she is young, and when they to out on the horses with his son & her young brother (10ish) and the boys are dismissed to race the horses while they sit by the water, they are taken by a dozen men - William attempts to fight them off, Saura hits a few on the head, but they finally knock William to the ground (hitting his head), and they take them to a castle - sitting on the same horse - where he comes to feel her true figure - and locked in a tower room in the castle, she attends to his injuries, and disrobes, thinking him sleeping and needing the shared warmth of the one blanket, she cuddles up to him - and starts to feel his face and body, as she has never dared before... and at first he pretends sleep and allows her touch - and then he initiates her into love making - treating her gently, lovingly, and igniting their passions. And in the morning he wakes up first, and he can see - and as she awakens, and he finally realizes she is blind, and she quickly determines his sight is back - and after a selfish moment of thinking he no longer needed her, she is quite happy for him... and they kill Arthur, the one who had them kidnapped but realize that someone else was the brains.

and he is determined to marry her - and she says no - but she'll share his bed... and he tries to understand her - and he overrules her... and Maude and Peter manipulate her into accepting his offer... and they have a few months preparation - and William loves her deeply, and is prepared to be patient, waiting for her to love him - to love and trust him fully - to be his partner fully... and it's a bit of a an uphill battle -

William is very conscious of protecting her - and is annoyed with Nicholas, who is smitten with her... Nicholas is rich, but not a warrior... he hangs out with Saura, leading to talk about what their relationship might be. and she starts to sense someone watchng her... and then that some one coming up to her when she is alone, whispering he loves her in a disguised voice... and no one seems to believe her, ans she doesn't tell William... and its time for the wedding - guests are there - her brothers come, and they and William connect... and there is the battling - and Saura is left to herself on the dais with the other women, whom she does not know - and Nicholas comes to describe the action, making it sound as if William is taking unneccessary chances and is repeatedly close to being seriously hurt - which is not true - and William proves his prowess on the fiels, defeating all - and goes to Saura, who runs to him - both displaying their love for one another.

And they are happily bedded with some medeivil customs, and he goes off to battle one of her tenant barons, comes back wounded and infected - she nurses him .. and when he is finally well, there is an honest confrontation in the herb garden - where she is angry, and he accepts her anger and they have sex - he listens to her and comforts her, and he becomes angry when she verbally tells him that her feelings are of that of a grateful wife - and he shares his heart, his love, and his need for her trust and love - he feels they are 2 halves of a whole, and together can conquer the world - and she cries, and though things are not settled, he tries to find his patience again and tries to soothe her... but he leaves to confront Charles, thinking he must be the mastermind of the threats against them, and in spite of Saura telling him that she does not believe it is Charles - by her judgment of his voice and his honesty through that... and she is crying the woods, with only the dog, and Nichollas kidnaps her, taking her to his castle. Nicholas is crazy, and she works to stay calm, and to defend herself as beswt she can. Nicholas wants William's possessions - convinced that when he kills William (as he killed his own brother), his father will adopt him and give him the lands, and he will win Saura's love and he'll have her too. When she defies him, he tosses her down the dungeon - and she plants the seed she does not want William to be thrown in with her, hoping that Nicholas will do the opposite. And after a bit of feeling sorry for herself, she remembers Williams' speech, and prepares for William coming for her - exploring the cell to see what's available.

William is second guessing himself about Charles, and Charles invites him in... and they finally determines that Nicholas is the culprit... he sends Charles to get his father & men, and he goes to Nicholas by himself... and is thrown into the dungeon, seeing her plan. And at first he is overcome with fear in the darkness, and Saura comforts him and helps him find his core... and she shows him the tunnel she found, that is going out to the sea, and together they get the boulder blocking the exit to move - and she fully puts her trust in him - and he sees it and is warmed by it... they make it up the face cliff with her guidance, and he puts her in a safe place while he returns to the castle to take care of Nicholas before he can escape - trusting that his father will be there soon... and as he hears the horses coming, he breaks through the guards, and into the castle, tracking down Nicholas and killing him...

and he returns to Saura.... ahhhh(less)

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Dec 01, 2012 Sakura L. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, historical-romance, romance, christina-dodd

pertama-tama mari bertepuk tangan untuk Christina Dodd yang telah keluar dari comfort zone (sok tau sih) dengan menciptakan heroine yang buta. karena aku belum pernah baca yang seperti ini sebelumnya dari tema HR. awalnya aku juga nggak mau baca novel ini karena takut dengan cerita yang sedih; dengan banyaknya perasaan haru biru karena kebutaannya. ternyata sama sekali tidak ada. well, bukan karena kebutaan heroine-nya, malah hero dan perilaku sang ayah tiri yang bikin terenyuh dan kesel.
(sayang...more

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Aug 05, 2011 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

Well, it's been a whopping 5 days since I finished this book, and although I sometimes (not often) review a book up to a month after reading, and have pretty good recall, I had to flip back through the book to remember what happened before writing this. The book was good, but not fascinating. I did enjoy reading it, and I liked that Saura was capable of handling so much on her own. (An excellent book on just how much the blind are capable of is Thunder Dog: A Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Tr ...more

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Nov 26, 2008 Patty rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2008, fiction, historical-romance, romance, women-writers, humor

I returned this book to the library before I had written my review and it took some real sleuthing to figure out who the author and what the title was. I was sure that I had read this author in the past year. I have read most of Dodd's Governess Bride series and I thought I had read one this past year. Guess not.

This book is the first of an earlier series that Dodd has written. It appears that the book was first published in the early 90's. This novel found me at exactly the right time. I read r...more

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Sep 18, 2012 Titis Wardhana rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance

Wew... panjang banget ceritanya...

Saura, buta sejak lahir, tapi di usia 19 uda kompeten segala2nya, pokoknya serba bisa deh, tapi ayah tirinya jahat bener, sampe mau nidurin juga, tapi untung pelayan Saura setia. Saura dimintain tolong sama ayah William. William ini knight tapi karena suatu pertempuran kena benturan keras, dia jadi buta. Nah, Saura diharapkan supaya bisa menghibur dan mengembalikan semangat William.

Settingnya agak beda sama HR lain, ini zaman knight2-an, dan ada selingan cerita...more

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Feb 20, 2013 Marie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

Bintang 3

Ini adalah kisah perjalanan hidup seorang gadis buta yg berusaha bertahan hidup di zaman para knigth di daratan Eropa yg keras.

Lady Saura of Roget gadis cantik dan pewaris yg kaya raya, memiliki cacat fisik buta sejak lahir. Tapi kekurangannya ini tidak membuatnya terbelakang. Saura adalah gadis yg tegar, cerdik dan cekatan dalam mengatur urusan rumah tangga dan sangat sensitif dengan suasana dan keadaan disekitarnya. Karena kekayaannya, Saura dipaksa ayah tirinya untuk tetap tinggal be...more Bintang 3

Ini adalah kisah perjalanan hidup seorang gadis buta yg berusaha bertahan hidup di zaman para knigth di daratan Eropa yg keras.

Lady Saura of Roget gadis cantik dan pewaris yg kaya raya, memiliki cacat fisik buta sejak lahir. Tapi kekurangannya ini tidak membuatnya terbelakang. Saura adalah gadis yg tegar, cerdik dan cekatan dalam mengatur urusan rumah tangga dan sangat sensitif dengan suasana dan keadaan disekitarnya. Karena kekayaannya, Saura dipaksa ayah tirinya untuk tetap tinggal bersama untuk menguasai harta Saura dan menjalankan niatnya yg tidak senonoh pada Saura. Untungnya seluruh saudara tiri Saura adalah pelindung bagi diri Saura dari tindakan pelecehan dan kekerasan oleh ayah tirinya itu disamping pembantu setia Saura. Namun walau begitu kerusakan emosi atas rasa tak diinginkan yg disebabkan oleh sang ayah tiri tetap tidak dapat dihindari. Saat seorang Lord Knigth yg sedang putus asa menawarkan Saura keluar dari rumahnya, Saura menerimanya karena merasa dirinya dibutuhkan untuk menyadarkan seorang knigth yg tiba tiba mengalami kebutaan dalam sebuah pertarungan.

Lord William Miraval adalah seorang knight yg tangguh. Mengalami keterpurukan setelah dirinya buta. Berkat kata kata Saura yg keras dan pedas serta tingkah laku Saura sebagai pengurus rumahtangga William yg tegas dan cekatan, William sedikit demi sedikit sadar bahwa dirinya dapat melakukan sesuatu walau dirinya buta.

Saat aksi penculikan terhadap William dan Saura, tanpa disengaja William memperoleh kembali penglihatannya. Dan terkejut William saat menyadari Saura sendiri yg merupakan mentornya merupakan seorang gadis buta. Dan menurut William mukjizat yg dialaminya adalah karena perhatian dan perasaan Saura terhadap William. William yg sebelumnya telah memberikan penilaian yg tinggi terhadap Saura dan kebutuhannya akan kedekatan Saura pada dirinya berusaha meyakinkan Saura untuk menikah dengan William dan menerima perasaan cinta William.

Akan tetapi setelah William memperoleh penglihatannya kembali, Saura merasa tidak yakin dengan keberadaan dirinya didekat William. Saura merasa keberadaan dirinya disamping William setelah William dapat melihat tidak ada gunanya. Kisah percintaan Willian dan Saura menjadi tidak mudah. Saura yg cantik menjadi pusat perhatian para knight dan sahabat William teruta saat pesta pernikahan mereka sehingga menimbulkan kecemburuan William. Dan tanpa disadari William ternyata memiliki musuh dalam selimut. Tidak hanya William dalam bahaya, Saurapun menjadi incaran musuh William.

Saat William mencurigai Charles salah satu sahabatnya, Saura meminta William mempertimbangkan sekali lagi karena Saura tidak yakin kalau Charleslah yg memiliki niat jahat terhadap mereka. Dan saat musuh berhasil menculik Saura dan memaksa William untuk datang sendiri untuk masuk dalam perangkap sang musuh, William yg terjebak bersama Saura dalam ruang tahanannya yg gelap mengalami ketakutan akan mengalami kebutaan kembali. Dan saat itulah Saura sadar akan perasaan cintanya terhadap William serta posisinya sebagai penyelamat William. Dengan kecerdikan Saura mereka berhasil keluar dari mereka ditahan. Dan dengan bantuan ayah William serta para sahabatnya yg masih setia William berhasil menggagalkan niat musuhnya.(less)

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Nov 27, 2010 JoAnn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

This is one of Christina Dodd's earlier novels and I am not sure I would look for her books if it had been the first one I had read by her.
The story is an interesting one and I enjoyed the historical details. It just seemed to lack the style that other, more recent, books I have read by her have and that have put her on my want-to-read list.
If I stumble across the second book in the series I would probably read it, but I won't go out of my way to find it. I already have four more of her more rec...more

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Feb 03, 2009 Juliana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, 2004-reads, 2004-aug-reads, 2008-reads, 2008-jan-reads, best-romance-heroines-ever, 0-to-reread, 4-stars, 4-to-5-stars

Good medieval romance with a strong, admirable heroine and a wonderful, sensitive hero

Setting: Medieval England, 1153
Sensuality: 7

I greatly enjoyed Candle in the Window even though I don't normally read medieval historical romances - I'm more into the regency/Victorian setting. I am a great fan of Christina Dodd's novels, however, so I wanted to read this earlier work of hers (1991).

Saura and William were a wonderful pair and I enjoyed the interactions and chemistry between them. Saura was kind,...more Good medieval romance with a strong, admirable heroine and a wonderful, sensitive hero

Setting: Medieval England, 1153
Sensuality: 7

I greatly enjoyed Candle in the Window even though I don't normally read medieval historical romances - I'm more into the regency/Victorian setting. I am a great fan of Christina Dodd's novels, however, so I wanted to read this earlier work of hers (1991).

Saura and William were a wonderful pair and I enjoyed the interactions and chemistry between them. Saura was kind, courageous, and capable; her strength was a wonderful thing to see in a heroine and the fact that she is blind adds a nice twist for someone who has read almost every historical romance out there! William was one of those tough warrior heroes, but he was so tender and sensitive with Saura that it made my heart melt. He was quick-witted and loyal and I loved his possessiveness of Saura and jealousy over others admiring her (he doesn't take it out on her or anything like that, so it's actually very sweet).

CRITICISMS:
There are two reasons that I couldn't give it five stars, the first being also one of the main reasons that I don't normally read medieval romances: because when the author is accurate in depicting the times (as they should be) there are a lot of things which bother me: the young age at which women were married, the widespread acceptance of physical punishment, etc. Though William never abuses Saura, he clarifies to her brothers that he doesn't believe in hitting his wife even if she deserves it - sorry, I just don't believe anyone "deserves" being hit. Also, he does slap one of the servant women, Hawisa, at the beginning. Overall, William is NOT one of those heroes that you feel acts more like a villain, so please don't think that; he's very sweet and understanding with Saura. I also didn't like the constant references to "sluts" and some of the characterizations of the serfs and churls. These were all probably accurate for the times, but it is why I normally steer clear of romances from this era.

My second criticism is that Saura's objections to marrying William, her subsequent turnaround, Maude and Lord Peter's plan - it was all very murky and unclear. I didn't fully understand the emotional obstacles to William and Saura's relationship, as it seems like Dodd couldn't make up her own mind throughout the novel about what it was that was stopping them from being completely happy and open with one another. In the end it all resolves itself, of course, but there was just a general murkiness and vacillation on this subject throughout the novel that detracted from the overall quality of the story.

SUMMARY (from the back cover):
"Lady Saura of Roget lives a lonely life of servitude - her fortune controlled by her cruel, unscrupulous stepfather. Yet it is she who has been called upon to brighten the days of Sir William of Miraval, a proud and noble knight who once swore to live or perish by the sword ... until his world was engulfed in agonizing darkness. Summoned to Sir William's castle, the raven-haired innocent is soon overcome by desire and love for the magnificent, golden warrior who has quickly laid siege to her heart. But there is a grave danger awaiting them both just beyond the castle walls ... and a dear and deadly price to be paid for surrendering to a fiery, all-consumed love."

BOTTOM LINE:
I would highly recommend this book - the hero was to die for and it was easy to respect Saura and want her to finally get the happy ending she deserved. It wasn't my favorite Christina Dodd, but definitely worth reading and I am glad I bought it, so that I can reread it in the future.(less)

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May 12, 2009 Katie(babs) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Candle in the Window is a true classic by Christina Dodd. The book is for any fan of Medieval England and a heroine, who even though is blind (and actually from birth and stays that way) is an incredible young lady who finds her self worth and a wonderful love with a knight and lord who matches her in everyway. Saura is the main reason to read this novel. This is such strong heroine who has such a problem as no sight and is able to function above most.

Saura doesn't let her blindness limit her....more

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May 02, 2008 _inbetween_ added it

Starting out in well written fashion, the middle part of the story annoyed me, but the book ended well again. It's a mix of Chadwick, Hunter and Medeiros, with the first probably the source and the last a copy. Like "Wild Hunt" there's a father who gets together with the older woman who cared for the heroine, a trusty hound, the uncertain time just before Henry takes over from Stephen, and a siege. While the politics might have been taken from Chadwick and were also used by Medeiros in "Bride",...more Starting out in well written fashion, the middle part of the story annoyed me, but the book ended well again. It's a mix of Chadwick, Hunter and Medeiros, with the first probably the source and the last a copy. Like "Wild Hunt" there's a father who gets together with the older woman who cared for the heroine, a trusty hound, the uncertain time just before Henry takes over from Stephen, and a siege. While the politics might have been taken from Chadwick and were also used by Medeiros in "Bride", the siege never quite happened but instead turned into an amusing incident, like a few others, which together made me like the book after all. I had given it a chance when noticing Dodd was a Monty Python fan, too ... and I realised to my surprise sometime towards the end that I liked the heroine. She seemed more like on of Chase's then, and while the blindness angle isn't one to overwhelm me, the hero actually believable wanted her love and had only the minimum requirement of omg-she-so-beautiful thoughts.

Medeiros used a similar situation of looking-after-half-siblings, though Dodd is stylistically closer to Chadwick. There is a rather big problem with the editing or type setting, not just words but sometimes paragraphs seem to be missing. The reason my opinion lowered in the middle was a completely unnecessary subjogation scene as in Hunter's "Protector". It probably was meant to be funny, and was followed by the heroine protesting it wasn't rape if she wanted it, and then stitching up her wounded man as in "Wild Hunt", but it was the bit I couldn't stand.

Despite reference to "previous" couplings, there was very little sex, and the style there also seemed jumpy, as if the writer had gone back and forth (as you - or I - do) and thereby lost some bits. Her not being able to submit into "love"ing him was straight from "Wild Hunt", though. I sort of like it in both books, though WH has too little actual character development shown, while CitW hints at interesting ideas that Dodd had (with this, her first novel) and perhaps never quite finished or perfected.

Will read a regency of hers next, though they are said to be less good; but the other medieval one has a problematic rape-while-sleeping scene, even though it starts also unusually well written, and I have to economise. I chose this book as first because it was her first, and I thought I'd get the one with the not-ugly cover (I didn't :))(less)

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Sep 04, 2012 Rhea Rhodan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: debut, historical-romance, premise, reviewed, romance, medieval

I love a good medieval romance and this one did not disappoint. The heroine being blind (and not helpless) was a great premise handled beautifully. The swoon-worthy hero is a mighty warrior who appreciates more than just her beauty. The writing could have been tighter; there were scenes that were nice but really did nothing to move the plot along. Forgivable, since I believe it's the author's debut book (first published over 20 years ago) and the story was overall a satisfying and entertaining r...more

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Oct 01, 2012 Natha rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, translation

Perjuangan banget buat menghabiskan buku ini. :|
Awalnya tertarik karena sinopsisnya menarik hati, tapi setelah dibaca, menariknya hanya seperenam awal buku. Sisanya? Hampir sekelebatan saja bacanya. =,=
Pergumulan di dalam hatinya oke, tapi rasanya terlalu banyak dan terlalu monoton, hingga apa yang di awal bikin tertarik, di akhir malah membosankan.
Yahh, mungkin bukan my cup of tea saja kali ya. *elus-elus dagu*

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Sep 04, 2010 Judith rated it 4 of 5 stars

I LOVED this book! It was well-researched, well-written, DIFFERENT, and so moving that I became misty-eyed cried in places. Congratulations to Christina Dodd for giving herself a tough assignment (a medieval heroine with a disability) and turning it into a story of romance, passion and tenderness. I have read other books by Ms. Dodd and enjoyed them, but this is BY FAR the best of them all.

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Feb 20, 2010 Tasmia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: genre-romance-2010, 2010, reread-2011, ebooks, fav-romances

Fairly good, and in a time period I don't usually read. Love the saucy, capable, differently-abled heroine...until she gets sadly mushy-headed near the end. The hero is stirring at times and appalling at others, though really he's a paragon compared to most of his ilk. Lots of trite elements, but the premise is relatively unique. Overall, definitely gave me a good opinion of Dodd's work.

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Apr 11, 2013 Nathaniel Nelson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Beautiful read for those of us who like romantics. Its a powerful story set in the days of castles and nights where being blind was a real handicap. This story shows the true power of support a friend and companion can give. How some of the challenges in life take two people working together to surpass. It was a good enough story I came back to it a second time.

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Mar 05, 2013 Susan Gabel rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christina-dodd

If you have never read this book you really need to. It is one of my favorite historical books written. I have reread it many times. Lady Saura captures your heart from the first and Sir William shows how a person and learn and grow with his experiences. I love all her books, but to me, this is still one of her best books, if not the best.

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Dec 19, 2012 Firly rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is what I want for Historical Romance.
I love the book.
I love Saura and William.
And I love the story, in the start, in the middle, and in the end of it.
Recomended.
No hedonism but sumptuous. No boring love but precious.
The cure for my stagnation of historical romance.
Thank you for that.

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Dec 15, 2012 Mary rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-ebook-challenge

I dislike saying it but this book disappointed me. The idea for the story was great. Saura, a blind chatelaine whose independence could be used to help William who was recently blinded in battle. The editing errors and and lame dialog completely undermined this tale. My disappointment lies not only with the author but with the publisher as well who has not been known for shoddy work. Maybe it was only the ebook version that was so bad, sometimes it seems as if the pre-edited version is what is p...more

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Jun 13, 2012 Amy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, historical, used

Cons: The magic head blow of healing months after initial head injury, slow pacing, kitchen sink villian
Pros: Not a Disney medieval...things stink and there is definitely a class divide, blind heroine not magically healed with a blow to head, Bula and Bronnie

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Oct 13, 2009 Sherry rated it 5 of 5 stars

Again, the history is different and set in the 1100s. This is a sweet romance of damaged goods. A blind girl is sent to help a hero blinded in battle. Both are sympathetic characters and their conversation and actions are fun.

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Jul 03, 2012 Jo rated it 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the book. I esp liked the fact that the main character was blind, and without all of our technology, self sufficiant. That made this book stand out from a lot of other romance novels

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Apr 12, 2013 Shea rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

I am a fan of Christina Dodd so I was very excited to read her first published novel. I would say her books have improved since this one. It did not have as much wit as I have come to expect from her and it was easier to put down than her books usually are. I think it could have been trimmed for the story to move faster. I enjoyed the relationship between Saura and William because it had depth and, unlike many romance novels, their love developed over a realistic time frame. Saura is a capable h...more

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Jul 03, 2012 Miranda Davis rated it 5 of 5 stars

Fresh perspective and characters with unique challenges. I was glad I delved into a romance set in a much earlier time. Gracefully done a pleasure to read.

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Nov 27, 2012 Sari rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

Suka sih dgn buku ini, tapi mendekati bab2 akhir kok jd melambat alurnya, n agak capek dgn gaya tarik ulurnya Saura, jd cukup #3 rating saja utk buku ini.

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About Christina Dodd

Readers become writers, and Christina Dodd has always been a reader. As she was growing up, she read everything, but discovered, because she likes humor, that she liked romance best. In romance, the relationship between one man and one woman holds center stage, and that’s always good for a laugh.

A woman wants things like world peace, a clean house, and a deep and meaningful relationship based on m...more

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Candle in the Window (Medieval Series #1)

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