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Wenn Deine Hände mich berühren.
Can a man who wins a war also conquer a woman’s heart?Village and nation alike tremble under the wrath of Roland de Gallienne, also called the Black Flame, loyal mercenary soldier to Henry II of England. Now, weary of war, he seeks peace for his soul at the healing hands of the saint rumored to live in the Chateauroux monastery.In spite of popular gossip, Hope is no saint, but a gifted healer and diviner held prisoner by the evil abbot of Chateauroux. When the Black Flame arrives, Hope vows revenge for her people, and tries to kill the infamous soldier. But she doesn't expect the handsome warrior to show mercy, to free her from her prison, and to take her with him to England. Now, as the battle between nations is coming to an end, Hope must fight a new struggle--with tender feelings for her arrogant guardian. For though Roland was her enemy, she must stand with him in a new fight--against forces that may tear them apart...
363 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1999
About the author
Katherine Sutcliffe
43 books75 followersKatherine Sutcliffe was born an only child in East Texas. After working for a time at an oil company and as a headhunter for a computer personnel company, Sutcliffe decided in 1982 to quit her job and attempt to write a novel. Three years later she sold her first book, Desire and Surrender to Avon Books. She works eight hours a day, five to seven months a year. Sutcliffe also attempts to find a single CD that will provide inspiration during the writing of each book. In the past, she has used the soundtrack to Somewhere in Time and Kitarō's Silk Road.
In 1995 and 1996, Sutcliffe worked as the Consultant Head Writer for the soap operas As The World Turns and Another World. Sutcliffe was offered the job after Bill Graham, who searched for writers for Proctor and Gamble, mentioned to his wife that they wanted to refocus the soap opera stories on romance. His wife, who loved Sutcliffe's book, insisted that he contact her. During her time as a soap opera writer, she concentrated on developing the six-month story lines, which the breakdown writers would then develop into dialogue and individual scenes for the show. During this time frame, Sutcliffe also made a guest appearance on Another World, playing herself. She resigned from her position after the networks began to insist that she move to New York City to be more accessible.
Her historical romance, Notorious, sold out its first printing in a mere four days.
Sutcliffe lives near Dallas, Texas. She met her husband, an English geologist, while they worked for the same oil company. They have three children, Bryan, Rachel, and Lauren. Sutcliffe also raises and shows Arabian horses.
In 1995 and 1996, Sutcliffe worked as the Consultant Head Writer for the soap operas As The World Turns and Another World. Sutcliffe was offered the job after Bill Graham, who searched for writers for Proctor and Gamble, mentioned to his wife that they wanted to refocus the soap opera stories on romance. His wife, who loved Sutcliffe's book, insisted that he contact her. During her time as a soap opera writer, she concentrated on developing the six-month story lines, which the breakdown writers would then develop into dialogue and individual scenes for the show. During this time frame, Sutcliffe also made a guest appearance on Another World, playing herself. She resigned from her position after the networks began to insist that she move to New York City to be more accessible.
Her historical romance, Notorious, sold out its first printing in a mere four days.
Sutcliffe lives near Dallas, Texas. She met her husband, an English geologist, while they worked for the same oil company. They have three children, Bryan, Rachel, and Lauren. Sutcliffe also raises and shows Arabian horses.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 4, 2022
So disappointing! This is the first KS book that I didn't enjoy. No wonder it had a low rating!
The story starts of interesting. As his wife is in labor, Lord Geoffrey summons the seer/witch. She tells him that his son will destroy everything he loves. The son will kill Geoffrey's beloved wife and destroy the land. Lord Geoffrey loves his wife and will do anything to save her and he certainly does. He kills his first born child and swaps him out with the blacksmith's newborn son. Surprise! A few years later his wife dies giving birth to his second son. It's then that he realizes he killed the wrong son. Opps! Cue the crazy guilt!
Intriguing so far, right?
Ronald, first born son, will do anything to escape his hateful, crazy father. He has been in France fighting for King Henry ii against the French King and Richard the Lionhart. Ronald, the Black Flame, has become tired of war. The legendary leader has become very cynical and he has stopped confessing his sins before battle (a major no no) . This causes problems with his men, who are starting to believe his godless is the reason for their recent defeat. One night, he arrives at a French Abby asking for sanctuary so he can rest and heal. There he is attacked twice by a monk. Soon he learns the attacker is the girl called the Saint of Chatreauroux.
Hope and her brother (Daniel) are prisoners of the Abbey. The evil abbot forces her to use her divine gifts to perform healing miracles, so he can receive riches and respect. Hope is no Saint, but she is a gifted healer and a powerful seer. Hope's village was butchered by English soldiers and that's why she tries to kill Roland. Her irrational hatred of the English got old quickly!
Surprisingly, Roland forgives Hope for the attempted murder of him. He then liberates Hope and Daniel, but only to keep her for himself. It doesn't hurt that she's beautiful.
Unfortunately, the rest of the army doesn't agree with his decision. Some are afraid God will punish them for kidnapping a Saint. Their fears are reinforced by the evil witch. Yes, the hag is still alive! You would have thought Lord Geoffrey would have killed her after her doomed prophecies but noo. She's able to divide Roland's army with lies and place the blame of their misfortune on Hope. I couldn't understand why nobody burned the old hag! I also wish the author would have revealed the hag's motive for committing such horrible acts.
The plot goes downhill from here!
Problem : The book kind of stalls at this point. The rest of the book takes place in the army tents and a fortress. Nothing really happens. The MC just fight back and forth. It was so 😴 ! They, of course, fall in love. In the last 50 pages, Roland finally returns home to England to face his crazy father and evil brother. SPOILER Alert: the last 20 pages, he finds out who his real parents are. Who didn't see that coming?
This book had so much potential! I felt like the supernatural aspects were wasted. There was so many interesting ways KS could have written the book, but instead she ruined a compelling plot.
Conclusion: This is one KS book that I would skip if I were you!
Sidenote: the H sleeps with his mistress while the h is chained up in the same tent. Luckily, there isn't much description but still eww
The story starts of interesting. As his wife is in labor, Lord Geoffrey summons the seer/witch. She tells him that his son will destroy everything he loves. The son will kill Geoffrey's beloved wife and destroy the land. Lord Geoffrey loves his wife and will do anything to save her and he certainly does. He kills his first born child and swaps him out with the blacksmith's newborn son. Surprise! A few years later his wife dies giving birth to his second son. It's then that he realizes he killed the wrong son. Opps! Cue the crazy guilt!
Intriguing so far, right?
Ronald, first born son, will do anything to escape his hateful, crazy father. He has been in France fighting for King Henry ii against the French King and Richard the Lionhart. Ronald, the Black Flame, has become tired of war. The legendary leader has become very cynical and he has stopped confessing his sins before battle (a major no no) . This causes problems with his men, who are starting to believe his godless is the reason for their recent defeat. One night, he arrives at a French Abby asking for sanctuary so he can rest and heal. There he is attacked twice by a monk. Soon he learns the attacker is the girl called the Saint of Chatreauroux.
Hope and her brother (Daniel) are prisoners of the Abbey. The evil abbot forces her to use her divine gifts to perform healing miracles, so he can receive riches and respect. Hope is no Saint, but she is a gifted healer and a powerful seer. Hope's village was butchered by English soldiers and that's why she tries to kill Roland. Her irrational hatred of the English got old quickly!
Surprisingly, Roland forgives Hope for the attempted murder of him. He then liberates Hope and Daniel, but only to keep her for himself. It doesn't hurt that she's beautiful.
Unfortunately, the rest of the army doesn't agree with his decision. Some are afraid God will punish them for kidnapping a Saint. Their fears are reinforced by the evil witch. Yes, the hag is still alive! You would have thought Lord Geoffrey would have killed her after her doomed prophecies but noo. She's able to divide Roland's army with lies and place the blame of their misfortune on Hope. I couldn't understand why nobody burned the old hag! I also wish the author would have revealed the hag's motive for committing such horrible acts.
The plot goes downhill from here!
Problem : The book kind of stalls at this point. The rest of the book takes place in the army tents and a fortress. Nothing really happens. The MC just fight back and forth. It was so 😴 ! They, of course, fall in love. In the last 50 pages, Roland finally returns home to England to face his crazy father and evil brother. SPOILER Alert: the last 20 pages, he finds out who his real parents are. Who didn't see that coming?
This book had so much potential! I felt like the supernatural aspects were wasted. There was so many interesting ways KS could have written the book, but instead she ruined a compelling plot.
Conclusion: This is one KS book that I would skip if I were you!
Sidenote: the H sleeps with his mistress while the h is chained up in the same tent. Luckily, there isn't much description but still eww
September 9, 2019
Absolutely awful. Halfway through the book completely shocked by graphic scenes of hero cheating with OW - this after he had not only met heroine but was attracted to her. Tried to justify with ‘but I was thinking of you the entire time’, nope not having it. Worse, this all happened with heroine’s knowledge and even in front of her (heroine was IN HIS TENT the entire night when he was with OW). Very poor of the author and not to my taste at all!
February 13, 2013
I found the roughness of the male characters accurate for the Middle Ages, rather than trying to place a modern man in 1100. What I did find distracting were historical inaccuracies, such as English peasants harvesting corn! Really? Corn is a New World crop and cannot possibly exist in England before the Age of Exploration. I wanted to kill the prognosticating hag myself by the end of the book, but I found Roland believable. I also liked Hope and wanted her to find love and a better future than it seemed would be her fate. In general a nice little read, but I doubt I will read it again. If you want a much better Sutcliffe read, try Bad Moon Rising.
October 10, 2019
Roland de Gallienne is a feared warrior. Hope is a gifted healer held prisoner by the Abbot of Chateauroux. She vows revenge on Roland and his men for her people, but she's surprised by his compassion to her and then his love. Contrary to all problems they do overcome and fall in love with each other.
June 15, 2019
Katherine Sutcliffe has written a book about warring between England and France during the 12th century. This is not the type of novel I read; however, I’d just finished another of her books and decided to try this one. As soon as I found it was a medieval tale, I decided to put it down – as soon as I finished the page. However, this book captured my interest before I finished that page.
In 1164, a seer tells Lord Godfrey that his son will one day destroy the family name. As the son, Roland de Gallienne grows; his father remains hostile and ambivalent towards him. Roland learns to become a knight; eventually, he becomes a serious warrior for King Henry II.
As our story opens, Roland has been fighting outside of England for three years. He and his men are weary and decide to stop at Chateauroux Monastery. Soon, he is caught up in the mysterious activities of the abbot and a local healer.
The abbot has imprisoned the healer (Hope) and her brother, Daniel. The abbot uses Hope to get citizens of the area to donate rare and beautiful gifts. They are begging Hope to heal them or their loved ones. There are some mystical elements to this story; once the reader suspends disbelief in these features, the story is compelling.
Be warned, there are gruesome components of this story, including cannibalism and beheadings.
In 1164, a seer tells Lord Godfrey that his son will one day destroy the family name. As the son, Roland de Gallienne grows; his father remains hostile and ambivalent towards him. Roland learns to become a knight; eventually, he becomes a serious warrior for King Henry II.
As our story opens, Roland has been fighting outside of England for three years. He and his men are weary and decide to stop at Chateauroux Monastery. Soon, he is caught up in the mysterious activities of the abbot and a local healer.
The abbot has imprisoned the healer (Hope) and her brother, Daniel. The abbot uses Hope to get citizens of the area to donate rare and beautiful gifts. They are begging Hope to heal them or their loved ones. There are some mystical elements to this story; once the reader suspends disbelief in these features, the story is compelling.
Be warned, there are gruesome components of this story, including cannibalism and beheadings.
May 8, 2011
Roland de Gallienne, called the Black Flame, loyal mercenary soldier to Henry II of England.
Hope is a gifted healer and diviner and is held prisoner by the evil abbot of Chateauroux.
She tries to kill him, but he takes her prisoner and drags her to England.
Now as the battle between nations is coming to an end, Hope must fight a new struggle with tender feelings for the arrogant guardian.
Well written, keeps one turning the pages.
Hope is a gifted healer and diviner and is held prisoner by the evil abbot of Chateauroux.
She tries to kill him, but he takes her prisoner and drags her to England.
Now as the battle between nations is coming to an end, Hope must fight a new struggle with tender feelings for the arrogant guardian.
Well written, keeps one turning the pages.
February 24, 2010
I was amazed,once again,by the lack of knightly behavior by the real knights, and the belief in the power of witches, during this period of history. A very good read.
October 9, 2011
Ich habe kaum bei einem Buch so viel herzhaft gelacht wie hier.
Nagut, das war vielleicht nicht so von der Autorin beabsichtigt, aber ich hab es genossen.
... and I got hooked on romance novels ;)
Nagut, das war vielleicht nicht so von der Autorin beabsichtigt, aber ich hab es genossen.
... and I got hooked on romance novels ;)
September 18, 2016
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews