The Rose and the Shield

Medieval #2

by Sara Bennett

BLINDED BY PASSION

Beautiful Lady Rose, the fiercely independent mistress of Somerford, reluctantly agrees to hire a bold Viking warrior, Gunnar Olafson, and his mercenaries to protect her undefended lands. But although Gunnar takes her breath away --- with his steel-hard muscles and eyes afire with undisguised yearning --- she dares not trust him.

But Gunnar is not what he seems. Posing as a hired soldier, he is duty-bound to expose Rose, whom his liege lord believes is plotting against him. Somerford is to be loyal Gunnar's reward, but he quickly realizes Rose is the true prize. He never expected to be bewitched by the exquisite beauty he is sworn to betray, and now he is discovering that her love is what he truly desires --- a need he must satisfy, even if dishonor is its price ...

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Medieval Romance, Medieval, Historical Fiction

378 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Sara Bennett writes with passion. She has been published by Avon HarperCollins in the USA, and also publishes independently. She recently wrote a series of Regency novellas about Second Chances called Mockingbird Square. The four novellas are Unforgettable, Enraptured, Surrender and Reckless. They're available at all eBook stores.

Currently she is writing a second series of Mockingbird Square. The first three novellas, Fascination, Seduction and Temptation are available, and Obsession is under way.

Sara also writes paranormal romance as Sara Mackenzie, steamy historical romance as Evie North, and Australian Women's Fiction as Kaye Dobbie.

Reviews

[Simona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how alpha and strong H was and how strong-willed, yet vulnerable h was. Their physical attraction was lightening striking dynamite. Love scenes were extraordinarily well done. The backdrop had an air of suspense but I found the path chosen to resolve it a bit boring. Yet it was a well done book following up on the series' first one. I loved both the heroes who exuded strength and raw masculinity and yet struggled to deal with their emotions for the heroines. I also prefer the author being true to the period in the sense that even though heroines can be determined and caring about issues, their true powers lie in exerting calming and feminine influence over the heroes.

[MaryD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Rose is besieged on all sides and doesn't know who to trust. On the advise of her advisor, she sends for a group of mercenaries to help her protect her people and land. What she doesn't know is that Gunnar Olafson, captain of the mercenaries, has his own agenda.

I started this in paperback form, but soon got so involved in it that I had to get the ebook version so I could highlight passages. It's set in a time when women were nothing more than pawns and were deemed to be unfit to be in charge of anything, let alone their own lives.

Even though the story was told from both Gunnar's and Rose's viewpoints, it wasn't hard to become immersed in Rose's suspicion, and feeling of betrayal as the plots unfold.

[Mary23nm · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a ton of scanning errors in the e pub book!

[Aneca · Rating 3 out of 5]

"It was a nice read but nothing new and this is a plot I've read several times already and sometimes better done.
Heroine is chatelaine of her own castle and her overlord send a mercenary to see if she is betraying him or not and take the castle if needed. H/h fall in love and after overcoming several dangerous situations end up together.
"

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tempo fa, avevo già letto il primo libro di questa saga: “Il giglio e la spada” e lo avevo apprezzato moltissimo, così quando ho saputo che “Desiderio e seduzione” era il suo seguito ho voluto leggerlo e scrivere il mio pensiero. Entrambi i libri di Sara Bennett, hanno un ambientazione medievale e sono dei romance in cui i due protagonisti all’inizio (come da copione che amo) non si possono sopportare, ma con il passare del tempo iniziano a provare uno per l’altro, stima ed attrazione sessuale.
In “Desiderio di seduzione” la protagonista è Rose: bellissima donna dal carattere forte e determinato che , seppur lasciata dal defunto marito senza disponibilità economiche e con un maniero da gestire, cerca con tutte le sue risorse d’ aiutare la popolazione a superare la carestia e gli attacchi dei nemici. Per bisogno, è pure disposta ad arare i campi (cosa alquanto insolita per una Lady dell’anno mille); lui, Gunnar, è un bellissimo guerriero, che dietro la sua corazza da mercenario nasconde un cuore nobile.
La storia è scritta benissimo e scorre velocemente senza perdersi in inutili descrizioni; i dialoghi sono brillanti, vivaci e spesso mentre lo leggevo, sorridevo per i battibecchi tra Rose e Gunnar. Dopo aver letto il secondo libro di Sara Bennett, mi è venuto spontaneo paragonarla a K. E. Woodiwiss, una delle regine indiscusse del romance, che ho sempre apprezzato in maniera particolare, perciò vi consiglio di non lasciarvi sfuggire questo bellissimo libro d’amore.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Rose and The Shield" is a quick read good for passing a few hours, but I wouldn't crack the cover expecting more than that. I don't have the cover on the copy I had at home, and had assumed the story fell in the fantasy genre; so I was hella confused when the story started, and it took me a few pages to get used to the writing and pacing. I also hadn't realized the book was a romance...something I don't usually pick up. It was good to read something out of my comfort zone, but thinking about the loss of opportunity when it came to real character relationship development (not just between Rose and Gunnar, but between Rose and literally anyone else) will keep me from picking up another romance-centric novel for a long time.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rated 3.5

[Chanelmya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐

[Paging Snidget · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

Enjoyed this much more than the first in the series. I liked the characters. The ended was very abrupt though and a little jarring. It really needed more resolution.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 💫 rounded up. Not a bad story. But better resolution needed with the bad guys. The novel kept me engaged despite some aspects of the plot not being my usual preference.

[Elisa Vangelisti]

Le prime duecento pagine sono tutte un “Omioddio quanto sono attratta da lui”, “Omioddio quanto sono attratto da lei”, “Quanto sono sodi i suoi seni”, “Quanto sono ampie le sue spalle”, “Cosa sarà mai questo desiderio che sento per lui”, “Perché non riesco a stare lontano da lei”… insomma, una noia mostruosa. Ho proseguito a leggere solo perché volevo vedere dove andava a parare, ma dopo che l’evento biblico ha avuto luogo credo di aver letto più che abbastanza. Complice un aspetto mistery della trama, di cui non mi interessa proprio niente, abbandono dopo 234 pagine su 315. Sara scrive benino, ma si dilunga troppo e tende a ripetersi. Inoltre qui la Mondadori non ha fatto un lavoro eccelso, perché ho trovato diversi refusi nel testo. La copertina (partendo dal presupposto che quelle di questo genere sono tutte mediamente orrende) imbroglia sul periodo storico. Fa pensare a un regency, mentre è un medievale. Insomma, tanto fumo e poco arrosto.

[Trudy Miner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Widowed Lady Rose of Somerford was worried about being attacked and sent for mercenaries to protect her castle from invaders. What she got was a group of armed knights led by ferocious looking Viking warrior Gunnar Olafson who isn't intimidated by her independent demeanor. Attracted to this bold warrior in spite of herself, Lady Rose is still reluctant to Gunnar. If she only knew the truth about Gunnar, who is actually there to take Somerford from Rose and turn her over to their liege lord for plotting against him. But, is Lady Rose really the guilty party? Is the passion that flares between them real or a cover for her activities? Who can each other trust and will they find out before it's too late?

[Netanella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully done story of a Norman widow struggling to keep her manor after the death of her husband. The mercenary Gunnar Olafson is sent in the guise of answering her bid to hire men-at-arms, but really he is to determine if she is planning treason against her lord. Sara Bennett is definitely on my list of authors to read.

[Readitnweep · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stared another shelf for this: Gunnar Olafson and Lady Rose. She doesn't trust him as he's a mercenary and warrior but she marries him to protect the lands for her people. Really enjoyed the rounded characters; good romance that really sucked me in.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this medieval/historical romance. This era is one of my favorites. There was nothing extraordinary, but its uncomplicated plot involving brave and beautiful characters was moving. It was like watching a twisted fairytale. I really love classics like these.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sara Bennett does it again...loved the sotry line and the romance.

[Geannemarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The build up was greater than the ending. Could've been better.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great book by this author