Tutku Çemberi

Hearts of the Conquest #1

by Paula Quinn, Nergis Karababa (Translator)

O her kadının hayaliydi…
Esmer, yakışıklı ve ‘Tutkulu’ lakabına sahip Lord Brand Risande,
baştan çıkarıcılığın vücut bulmuş haliydi.

Ama savaş alanı ve yatak odasındaki hünerinin altında çok acı bir sır vardı: kalbini mühürleyen ihanet.

Herkese korku salan bu şövalye, savaşta kazandığı toprakların başına geçmek üzere yola çıktığında en heybetli düşmanıyla karşı karşıya geleceğinin farkında bile değildi.

Fakat yalnızca bir kadının kaderiydi.
Leydi Brynnafar Dumont halkını korumak için her şeyi yapmaya kararlıydı… Buna babasını yenen vahşiyi baştan çıkarmak da dahil.

Soğukkanlı bir canavar beklerken, onun yüzüne bile bakmayan son derece
çekici bir erkekle karşılaşacaktı.

Tüm masumiyetine rağmen, mücadeleye değecek tek savaşta Lord Brand’i yenmekiçin tüm cazibesini kullanmak zorundaydı…
Aşk savaşında…

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

365 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2005

About the author

Paula Quinn is a NY Times and USA Today bestselling author of medieval, Scottish historical, and paranormal romance. To date, four of her books have garnered a starred review from Publishers Weekly. She has been nominated for Storyteller of the year by RT Book Reviews and every one of her books from the Children of the Mist series have garnered Top Picks from RT Book Reviews. Check out her series, Hearts of the Highlands featuring the brave, romantic MacPhersons on Amazon now!
Also, look for her new time-travel series Echoes In Time coming soon!

Reviews

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lord of Desire was a very good introduction for me to Paula Quinn's work. I found myself drawn into this novel about a young woman who falls in love with a man based on how powerfully he loves another woman. It sounds weird, but this was quite a hook.

Brynna came across Brand and his love Colette, frolicking in a sun-drenched pond. From that moment on, she cannot shake the visions of her black-haired, blue-green eyed merman with his all-consuming joy and passion that spills from him for his lover. Much to her surprise, her merman turns out to be one and the same as her arranged husband. Except now he is a cold-eyed, fierce, frightening Norman warrior, one who vows never to love her. Although Brynna craves a husband that can love her, she is willing to marry him anyway, if it will save her home. However, this strong, determined woman can't help but fight to chip away the glacial ice that coats her husband's heart.

I was captivated with Brand. His mix of icy ferocity and passionate emotion truly intrigued me, and had me falling for him. I liked the descriptions of him, and how clear it was that he was a very good man, one who'd had his heart stomped on by a woman who he loved so deeply that this love destroyed him when she betrayed him. He was very tortured in that he had given so much of himself that nothing but a deep, dark void remained. I could totally see why Brynna fell hard for him. I did too, I must admit.

At first, I was worried that Brynna would be too bratty for me, but she wasn't. She was very spirited and she stood up for herself and for others, which I liked. I loved that she was strong enough to take on her troubled husband (and the spectre of the woman who did him wrong), and to love him deeply, even knowing it could be a losing proposition in the end.

I liked the setting and the storyline, which prominently features a real life historical figure, Duke William of Normandy, otherwise known to us medieval history buffs as William the Conquerer, the man who changed the face of England in 1066. William's character is brought to vivid life as a big, strong, hearty, passionate man. Brand is one of his most trusted warriors, and William himself campaigned for the marriage between Brand and Brynna. He becomes a close friend and ally to Brynna in her battle to win her husband's frozen heart. I have this feeling that Ms. Quinn has a bit of a crush on William the Conqueror. He plays a big role in this book, and his scenes and dialogue are delivered with a loving attention to detail. It was a nice touch for me, since I haven't read any books that showed William as a real man, and a prominent character. I have to say that I liked him very much in this novel.

Although there are elements of intrigue and danger, most of the focus is centered on the developing relationship between Brynna and Brand. The chemistry and passion between them is red-hot, and I felt that powerful intensity that wrapped their hearts together. The love scenes were good and plentiful, although I did feel like some of the word choices were a little purple prosy. I struggle with how love scenes are described in some books. I don't like the raunchy language, but I admit that the purple euphemisms can make me giggle. It makes me wonder if it's better just to keep the descriptions vague if you don't want to go there and be too explicit. I think in this case, the attraction between this couple was so fierce, I probably didn't even need all the descriptions to be satisfied with the love scenes.

One other aspect I liked was how sinister the villain turned out to be. I read a lot of books, and I wish that many more had truly nasty villainesses. This is one for you if you like to see a good female villain. It really struck me that this woman could be so conniving and evil. I wish there was a bit more of a resolution on her final fate, but at least she's out of the picture between Brand and Brynna. And that's all that matters.

I have to say I am glad that I have several of Ms. Quinn's books in my pile. I like her style. She won me over with this tale of a man that is both hot like fire, and cold and fierce like iron is to faeries. I am a sucker for a good medieval romance, and this fit the bill very nicely. Recommended!

[Beatriz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quedé gratamente sorprendida con esta autora a la que no conocía. Sin ser una historia con mucho aspaviento, te mantiene pendiente del avance y el interés no decae en ningún momento, a pesar de que se desarrolla de manera muy pausada y sin recurrir a conflictos y malentendidos innecesarios. La evolución de la relación de Brynna y Brand es exquisita, manteniendo la coherencia con la época en que está ambientada.

Punto adicional por la introducción de un personaje histórico como secundario, William duque de Normandía, que posteriormente se convertiría en rey de Inglaterra. Él tiene una relevancia importantísima en la trama y su caracterización me encandiló más que la del propio protagonista. Gracias a él este libro se lleva mi cuarta estrella.

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A romance that concentrates almost completely on... the romance!! While there is a little intrigue most of this story really does revolve around the relationship - or lack therewith, then development of - the love between Lord Brand Risande and Lady Brynnafar Dumont.

Brand is a passionate man. He lives and experiences everything in his life with passion. He drinks every experience in and wrings every emotion from it. That is why when betrayal hits from the woman he has gifted every inch of his heart with, he is left with nothing. Even though a story of betrayal is about as common as air, Quinn writes her characters with such a fine-tuned touch that Brand truly does seem totally unique. We feel his joy and passion in every aspect of his life so we completely empathize when he states he has already given everything, he can give no more. It's not just a plot-ploy but a deeply felt emotion.

Brynnafar is the beloved, only child of the defeated Lord Richard, who must now marry the unwilling Brand or leave her home and the people who love and depend upon her forever. Once again, the plot is not unique but the delivery is adept and so fine tuned that Brynn's delimna feels real and heart-felt. Her determination against almost insurmountable odds draws the reader in, wraps them around her finger and twists the emotions as they watch each of these characters grow to that sigh-worthy ending we have all been praying for.

*Steam factor may be a little high for some but are skippable*

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could have given this a better rating but Brand started to get on my nerve because he couldn't get over it. I was like you got burned dude, get over it and start loving your wife already. For someone who loved life and who didn't love the woman who had betrayed him, he sure did let her get the best of him. I'm gong to read the next one but if it follows like this, then I'll be annoyed quickly.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it but I was confused cause heroine seemed to be attracted to another man and that was weird to me since she was also in love with the hero.

[Helena · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Elis Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll start by saying that I really liked this story. Forced to marry in order to prevent a war and the destruction of her home, Brynnafar is prepared to hate the Norman who won her home by defeating her father in man-to-man combat. What she was unprepared for is that her enemy is the man she once saw cavorting with his lover. The pure, unguarded passion and joy she saw on his face then captivated her, and he's haunted her dreams ever since.

But Brand is a changed man. A betrayal years ago has turned his heart to stone. He'll marry the beautiful Saxon because his Duke commands it, but he warns that he will never love her.

Now, if that were all there was to the story, the romantic angst (combined with an occasional bout of florid prose--this is Quinn's first published book, and her writing today is far better) would have set my teeth on edge. Fortunately, this is set in the months leading up to the Conquest, and Medieval is my favorite flavor, precisely because the period was so rife with intrigue and danger and perfidy.

There's plenty of that here. We even meet William, soon to be the Conqueror, and King Edward the Confessor, here portrayed as a shady and vindictive fellow who is more or less a puppet of Harold Godwinson, a villain behind the scenes. Quinn obviously did some research, in that she correctly describes William in terms of his stature (he was 5'10", quite tall for his day), his heritage, and his connections to England through Edward, among others, and she mentions the coming Battle of Hastings (tho in a context that bothered me since I don't think William was prescient).

Which leads to a...


Nitpick alert:

Maybe the problem is that I love this period too much. I already know a good deal about it, which is why I stumbled now and then over details that weren't quite right. As noted by another reviewer, William here is portrayed as a notorious philanderer, when in fact most historians believe he was remarkably faithful to his tiny wife, Matilda. There are other little things, like the heroine's white wedding gown with many buttons (Queen Victoria is credited with starting the trend for white gowns. Buttons as functional closures didn't come along until the 13th Century). As I said, these kinds of things pulled me up now and then, but I was engaged enough in the story that I kept turning pages.

On the whole, I recommend the book, because most readers are more interested in a good story than whether the history is 100% accurate, and the story here is pretty darned good. So I'll give it a solid 4 stars.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story and characters. My favorite of pq books.Bran the passionate was soo sexy. A nice twist to the norman invasion.

Sidenote : William the conqueror did not chase skirts but was faithful to his wife.

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I imagine this is one of Paula Quinn's earlier books. I cannot be sure. It is a a good medieval story with 2 good characters. The conversations are a bit silly because they are just so......pretty. But I have found that a lot of the medieval stories are like that. It is as if all the warriors back then had a poetic nature, too.

Brynna was a little melodramatic for my taste. She was a Saxon lady who was forced to marry a Norman knight, Brand. William the Conqueror also played a pivotal role in the book, which I thought was utterly unnecessary. It is a typical medieval story of the fateful year 1066, when William, Duke of Normandy, worked his way to the English throne. The story took place before 1066 and ended with the Battle of Hastings, when Brand and William were readying themselves for the battle that would mark history.

I thought the characters of Brynna and Brand were likable. The love story was sweet at best, not the kind of story that would rock your world. I think the problem was that the conflict did not give the story enough tension. Brand had been betrayed before by Colette, a woman who he loved. He therefore, had a hard time trusting his heart with another woman. Brynna was furious that she had to surrender her home to Brand and marry him. But thankfully she did not play the indignant lady of the keep whose pride turned her into an idiot. They quickly resolved to the fact that they were to marry and affections grew. At 60% they were already half in love with each other, even though Brand still had trouble admitting his feelings.

Then Colette returned, to give the story a much needed conflict. A woman who had no heart, she was the villain of the story. An evil woman plus some political schemes through which Brand learned that he loved Brynna, the End.

I loved the medieval atmosphere Paula Quinn created in this book. It reminds me Kathryn le Veque's medieval stories: knights on the white horses, ladies in kirtles. gallantry, battles, honor, and proclamations of blinding beauty and undying love. It was all grand, maybe a little too grand and too little angst for my taste.

[Gamze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Epsilon sağolsun Historical türünde yeni bir yazarla daha tanışmış olduk. İyi hoş güzel deee... O kitaptaki hatalara ne demeli! Yani bir kitabı da şöyle keyifle okuyabilmek istiyorum gözüme saçma sapan hatalar takılmadan.
Lord Brand, zamanında sevdiği kadın tarafından ihanete uğramıştır. Bu nedenle o günden beri kalbini sevgiye kapamıştır. Bir savaş esnasında Lord Richard'ı yener ve onun topraklarına sahip olur.
Tabi Lordun kızı ise hiç hesapta yoktur.
Kral Edward ve William, Brand'in Leydi Brynna ile evlenmesi için ısrar eder.
Ve adamımız ben seni asla sevmem diye bas bas bağıra bağıra Brynna ile evlenir.
Olaylar bu şekilde gelişiyor.
Ben açıkçası yazarı, akıcılığını ve gereksiz yere saçmalayıp okuru delirtmemesini çok sevdim doğrusu.
Leydi Brynna aslında bu olaylardan bir sene önce Brand'i gölde yüzerken rastlar ve o günden beri onu bir daha aklından çıkaramaz.
Kızın kararlılığını, sevgisi uğruna inatla savaşmasını sevdim.
Brand'i ise, ona ihanet eden kadını yeniden gördüğü zaman saçma sapan bir şey yapmaması hoşuma gitti.
Hele kitaptaki William karakteri on numaraydı :)
Vaktinizi keyifle geçirmenizi sağlayan bir hikaye, tavsiye ederim :)

Serinin diğer kitapları;

1. Lord of Desire - Tutku Çemberi
2. Lord of Temptation
3. Lord of Seduction

[Songül · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeni bir yazar , güzel bir kurgu ama bana göre kopuklukların olduğu bir anlatım tarzı ... Ve tabii karakterlerin kimi yerlerde "bu ne şimdi ! " dedirten davranışlarını saymazsak potansiyeli olan bir yazar ..

[Lady Whitbrooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a joy. It’s been way too long since I read a good medieval romance, this genre is my first love. Ha ha although I have enjoyed several MC and mafia romances lately there is nothing that beats a good historical romance. The only reason I could not give this 5 stars is because I did not appreciate the H being so head over hills for a witch and the book lingered in that for too long. But still a very good book that I highly recommend. Plot 6.5(1-10) steaminess 6.5(1-10).

[Canan]

Yani ne bileyim... Yazım şekli mı çevirisi mi bilemedim.Anlatımı çok çocuksu geldi 🙈

[Shirley Hamlod · Rating 5 out of 5]

The whole book concentrates on the relationship between Brynna and Brand. Although the other characters such as William and Colette add interest to the mix. I enjoyed the interplay between the two main protagonists who are strong in their own way.

[Crista · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a perfect candidate for a 3 star rating in my opinion. I did get through it, and enjoyed parts of it, but it did not leave a lasting impression on me. It is definitely not a keeper and I would recommend borrowing it from the library rather than purchasing it.

Brand "the passionate" Risande has been burned by love. His fiancee was caught "in the act" with one of his good friends and his heart has been burned and sealed off ever since.

When he is forced to wed Brynna in order to avoid war, he resists loving her, but because this is a romance novel, does not succeed. I did like the characters, but the storyline of Brand being so in love with the other woman and then to top it off by having her show up towards the end of the book was not what I hope for in a romance novel. His obsession with the other woman and Brynna's determination to "win him over" proved to much for me. I did like it enough to try Lord of Seduction, but not enough to remember Lord of Desire for any length of time.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good read-I love Medieval stories, so this one had a point in its favor to begin with. I also liked the way the heroine dealt with difficult situations. One little quibble -- from a history buff's perspective, while I generally liked the portrayal of William the Conqueror, the author evidently didn't do her research. This story is set two years before the Battle of Hastings. By then, William was very married to Matilda of Flanders, and reputedly faithful to her until well after his coronation as King of England, and yet he's depicted as a philanderer and there are at least half a dozen situations where you'd think he'd mention his beloved wife, and he doesn't. OK, I'm a wonk, but it's stuff like this that makes a book a bit less fun for me. If actual historical characters and situations are involved, I prefer to be confident that the author presents the facts as accurately as possible.

Anyway, it's still a good read.

[Andrea Aldana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sorprendente mente me gusto mucho este libro, tuvo de todo! Fue como una buena novela, empezar con la ilusión la Obligación a tu pueblo, el de enemigos a amantes el recuperar la confianza y el amor todo me gusto mucho! Como el libro tiene traición y mentiras, mal entendidos, y nuevos amigos!

Lo único que no me gusto mucho fue que al inicio te presentan un personaje con su escénica y personalidad, pero según va avanzando cambia totalmente y el hecho de que por la protagonista ser linda todo el mundo estaba a sus pies y dando la vida por ella, pero de ahí a lo demás me gusto muchísimo!

[Min Li Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hiç bu kadar iyi olacağını sanmıyordum ama umduğumdan da güzel çıktı.Yayınevi devamını da çıkarsa keşke. *-*

[Nurhayat Turna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kapağı açıp kitabı okumaya başlarken beni orta çağın gizemli dünyasına çekip hapsedeceğini bilmiyordum. Müthiş bir zevkle okudum kitabı. Karakterlere hayran kaldım, güldüm, eğlendim... Yazarın kaleminden çok edisyondan dolayı, imla hataları eksik yazılmış kelimeler gözüme takılmış olsada kitabı severek okuyup bitirdim. Zaten özensiz basım Epsilon kitaplarında beklediğim bir şey, hani şaşırtmıyor artık beni. Başladıkları seriye devam etmiyor oluşları şaşırtmadığı gibi, yazım hataları olması da şaşırtmıyor kısaca. Serinin üç kitaptan oluştuğunu, ilk kitabın 2014'de çıkmış olduğunu söyleyerek seriden ümidimi kestiğimi söylemem yanlış olmaz.

Kitabın konusuna harmanlanan aşk, intikam, ihanet öyle hissedilir ki okurken karakterlerle yaşıyorsunuz, bu da sevdiğim yanlardan biri. Aslında çok mu sevdim yoksa orta karar bir beğenme mi emin değilim. Hani çok sevdiğiniz bir çikolatayı yanlış bir zamanda yiyince ağızda çözümü zor bir tat bırakır ya, galiba bir önceki kötü deneyimden sonra üzerine okumak büyük hata oldu.

Yine de yazarın anlatımını sevdim, beni kendine çeken bir yanı vardı. Karakterleri de sevdim. Özellikle Brand’ın kardeşi Dante! O adamda dikkatimi çeken çok daha derin şeyler var. Zaten serinin devamı onun kitabı ama epsilon ya basmayacak ya da geciktiriyor.

Kitabımız 1604 yılında başlıyor. Leydi Bryyna’nin eve dönüş sırasında yaşadığı talihsizlik ile başlıyor. Devrilmiş bir ağaç tarafından yoluna devam edemiyor, arabası durmak zorunda kalıyor. Kızımız da temiz havanın tadını çıkarmak için arabadan iniyor ve gezinmek için ormana yöneliyor. Doğanın güzelliği onu büyülerken büyüleyici bir başka şey ile karşılaşıyor. Ormanın derinliklerinde bir gölde neşeli kahkahalar atan, yüzen adamı fark etmesiyle olduğu yerde durup onu izliyor. Sonrasında adamın aşığının da oyuna katılması ile mahrem bir ana tanıklık ediyor. Adamdan oldukça etkilenen Brynna, geceler boyu o adamın hayalini kuruyor ve günün birinde karşılaşma ümidini içinde büyütüyor.

Bir söz vardır, ne dilediğine dikkat et derler, hatta ben de bu cümleyi çok severim. Gerçekten de öyle. Brynna'nın aklından geçen dileğin, ummayacağı bir zamanda gerçekleşmek üzere kader ağlarını örecektir.

Bir sene sonra, bir komplo kurulan babasının savaşı kaybetmesiyle her şey değişir. Doğup büyüdüğü toprakları, evi bildiği kalesi elinden alınacaktır. Tabi telif edilen şey gerçekleşirse evinde kalacak, topraklarında yaşayacaktır. Savaşın bitmesiyle gelişenler sonucu barışın sürmesi için Normandiyalı savaşçı ile evlenmesi gerekir. Bu teklifi hoş karşılamaz, üstelik müstakbel damadın da evlilik fikrine karşı olduğunu öğrenir. Daha da sinirlenir. Bu barbar adamın kim olduğunu öğrenmesiyle hayatının şokunu yaşar. Bu adam, onun görüp etkilendiği göldeki adamın ta kendisidir.

Evliliğe karşı olan Lord Brand Risale, Leydi Byrrna’ı görüp, onu tanıdıktan sonra kadının güzelliği başını döndürür. Brynna'yı daha çok tanıdıkça korkusuzca dik duruşuna hayran olur ve evliliğe karış çıkmaz, kabul eder.

Brand, nişanlısı Colette’nin ihanetiyle aşka tövbe etmiş kalbinin kapılarını kaplamıştır. Bu eğlenceli, gülünce gözlerine baharı taşıyan adama Brynna aşkı öğretecek mı?

Kitaptaki eğlenceli karakterlerden biri de Normandiya Dük’ü William’dı. Adamın her olduğu sahnede yüzümde kocaman bir gülümseme oluştu. Onun varlığı hikayeye ayrı bir katkı sağladığı da ortada. Brand’a olan dostluğu ve yardımları, ikilinin atışmalarını okurken oldukça keyif aldım.

Brand, Dante ve William bile kendine hayran bıraktı. Ama bir şeyler eksik gibiydi. Böyle ne tamdı ne de çok çok eksikti. Serinin ikinci kitabını görüp giremeyeceğim hakkında bir fikrim yok. Malumunuz, Epsilon Yayınevi. Çıkmamasındansa çıkması benim için sürpriz olur.

Konusu eğlenceli, keyifli bir roman okudum, eğlendiğim beğendiğim de ortada. Historical ve orta çağda geçen hikayeleri okumayı seviyorsanız okumanızı tavsiye ederim…

http://sonsayfasiask.blogspot.com.tr/...

[Yumru · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eğlenceli romantik ve kızdığım şeyler haricinde güzel bir romandı gerçi çeviri katlinden kaynaklı kopuklar olmasaydı dahada iyi olacaktı.Yazarı sevdim bakalım bizde kaç yıl sonra bir çeviri daha yayınlanır🤔

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the main characters however if it could have focused less on the guys lost love and had more fighting I would have given it 5 stars.

[Catherine Crocker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who conquered whom?

The truly best book I have read in a long time. The history interwoven with the main characters is such a joy to read.Author Paula Quinn is an awesome story crafted. Couldn't put it down. A must read!

[Liesl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I doubt every bedroom was an ensuite in the 11th century, but on the whole it was another great romance to get through 2020.

[Jilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It sounded a little cheesy at first and if you aren’t into romances then well maybe it is. I recently decided while I love Highlanders I wanted something with Vikings or Celts, Norse or something of the kind. Norman and Saxon was a good start.

So I requested it on PBS. I’m so happy I did. Paula Quinn is very poetic even in the most passionate of scenes and the sexual tension between the characters make for quite the read. I could hardly put the book down and in fact ended up reading half Saturday night and the rest on Sunday.

Brand is a strong character with a real emotional problem. He has a zest for life and love until he is betrayed. The hurt he feels is real. He is witty and the banter between Brynna and Brand is wonderful.

Brynna isn’t one of those heroines that swoons constantly or is afraid of everything. Nope she’s willing to get down and dirty and be very forward to win the man she wants. She’s got a temper that she has problems with but Brand only seems to adore her more for it.

Even then peripheral characters were excellently executed. Dante, Brand’s brother, is fun and seems loyal and adorable in his wicked ways. He is a great character that I look forward to learning more about in Lord of Temptation. Also William of Normandy or William the Conquer is a wonderfully boisterous and fun loving warrior that makes you adore him and route for him to have his own wicked tale.

Definitely worth the read!

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

PERFECTION!

I would like to start by noting that this is the first review I have been compelled to write. I am most certainly typically partial to Highland romances. I will automatically read anything in this genre by Monica McCarty, Michele Sinclair, Maya Banks, Eliza Knight, Karen Marie Moning, Kerrigan Byrne, Margaret Mallory, Mary Wine and Jennifer Ashley; however, my favorite unquestionably is Paula Quinn. I actually found her through the "authors similar to" list.

After reading a number of other books including a number of DNFs from other various authors, I was desperate and turned to Paula's Risande series - Lord of Desire being the first in the series. I was hooked immediately and could not put this book down. Both the hero AND the heroine are fantastic, likable, well-developed characters that come to life. I have to say that Brynna is absolutely one of my favorite heroines. She is strong without being annoying.

This is a beautiful story; the focus is on the romance with just enough tension and plot twists to not derail from the objective.

I actually reread it a few weeks later it is that good. Paula Quinn is truly gifted.

[Marttha Zazueta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creo que tengo un nuevo género por agregar a mis gustos...

Me gustó mucho la forma en que Paula describía todo, me sentía transportada a la época de los Lores, aunque algunas veces, por la misma descripción de las escenas, sentía que estaba mucho más de acuerdo a la época actual, ni idea si solo me pasó a mi o si tenga mucho más que ver con la forma en la cual está traducida la historia.

Hubo un momento en que, según yo agregaron una escena, a la cual llamé "escena de telenovela" pero me tragué mis palabras al continuar con la lectura, de telenovelezco no tenía nada, no creo que alguna televisora hiciera tan bien una escena similar a esa.

Maravillada totalmente y con ansias de saber que es lo que sucede más adelante con la sensual familia Risande.

Ah y antes de olvidarlo, también AME a William y el que Paula mezclara la historia real con esta familia, sencillamente maravilloso.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been wanting to read this for quite some time so I was really happy when it was re-released in e-book form! I loved it!! Such a great little story about finding love when you don't want or expect it! Brynna is such a fierce female! She doesn't hold her tongue and sit idly by! She takes life by the reins and really gives it her all, be it in defense of her home, her family or her heart! Brand is...he's....YUM! Goodness me, he's yummy! I love the first glimpse of him as the mysterious merman and I even loved him with his shattered heart and trust. Watching Brynna break through his defenses was such a treat and they way they come to love each other so is beautiful. I LOVE William. He's such a hilarious scoundrel, but a great friend! Really fun read and I can't wait to get my hands on the other Risande family stories!!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable story of a young Saxon lady whose home has been confiscated by the Norman Invaders of England. The owner has been spared and the knight who captured him has been ordered by William the Conqueror to wed the daughter. The Knight has no desire to marry. The only time he gave is heart he was destroyed by her treachery and wants nothing more to do with any woman. he agrees to the marriage but states he will never love his bride. As time goes on, he fights her attraction, still remembering his evil first love. I liked this story and it was a good read.

[Chumchum_88 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just LOVED IT!!!
This book was so amazing, it was truly a page turner I couldn't put the book down.
It was beautiful, cute, heartwarming and exhilarating. I loved brynna and how she is so stubborn and kinda felt sorry for brand but man he was stubborn too!!
But what I loved most was William. I read many books that mention William the conqueror but I really loved him in this one. In times I even envied brynna for I wished I had a friend like him.

[Briana · Rating 5 out of 5]

In love

By far the best Quinn book that I've read thus far. I always enjoy enemy to lover stories, but this one is topped by none. The hero was so haunted and yet passionate it drew me in instantly. I lived how Bynna could forgive life's darkness so easily and truly she was better person for it. A beautiful love story with soft sweet love and a rare flare of steam once or twice.