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Royal Captive
Note: This book has been re-released by the author under her real name, Jennifer Roberson, and under a title she prefers, THE IRISHMAN.
The glitter of the royal court surrounded beautiful Elizabeth Stafford, but she was blind to its magnificence. All she could see was the face of the renegade Irish lord whose lips had raked fire across her silken flesh, whose passion made her forever prisoner of a man her country called traitor but her heart called beloved.
Betrothed to a powerful nobleman, desired by Kind James himself, Elizabeth would be come a pawn in a game of power and conquest. But the man she longed for Kieran O'Neill, secret conspirator against the Crown, a rogue who promised her no castle, no honor, only the danger of betrayal and shame...and the wine-dark kisses able to join two rebellious hearts forever into one.
The glitter of the royal court surrounded beautiful Elizabeth Stafford, but she was blind to its magnificence. All she could see was the face of the renegade Irish lord whose lips had raked fire across her silken flesh, whose passion made her forever prisoner of a man her country called traitor but her heart called beloved.
Betrothed to a powerful nobleman, desired by Kind James himself, Elizabeth would be come a pawn in a game of power and conquest. But the man she longed for Kieran O'Neill, secret conspirator against the Crown, a rogue who promised her no castle, no honor, only the danger of betrayal and shame...and the wine-dark kisses able to join two rebellious hearts forever into one.
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 2, 2015
Superbly Told Story of an Irish Chieftain’s Love for Ireland and a Highborn Sassenach
I knew when I read LADY OF THE GLEN, Roberson’s poignant love story set in the time of the Glencoe Massacre in the Highlands of Scotland that her earlier work, THE IRISHMAN would be a treat. And it was. Oh, my.
Set in England in 1617, this is the story of Elizabeth Stafford, a baron’s daughter raised in Kent and, through her father’s wrangling, given an appointment in King James’ court as one of Queen Anne’s ladies. Before she ever gets to court, however, a carriage accident puts her in the clutches of Kieran O’Neill, last of the royal Irish family of the O’Neills, who has come to England on a secret mission he hopes will win his country’s freedom.
What can I say about a proud, dark Irish hero, descended from the Earls of Tyrone, who only wants to see Ireland free? And a high-spirited young Englishwoman, one of Queen Anne’s ladies-in-waiting, who rejects all her noble suitors for the love of such a man? The story is well-written, wringing with emotion and angst, and steeped in the history of the times. This one will keep you turning pages, I promise.
Roberson has done much research for this story and understands the feelings of the Catholic Irish, persecuted and suppressed by a Protestant England. I applaud her for that. King James I is a character who would have Elizabeth for his mistress and we see the debauched lifestyle of his court as Elizabeth tries to preserve her virtue. Her dialog is often brilliant, her storytelling compelling. Her characters vividly portrayed.
Note: The book was first published in 1986 under the title of ROYAL CAPTIVE but the author now has her rights back and decided the title she had in mind was more appropriate. I agree.
I knew when I read LADY OF THE GLEN, Roberson’s poignant love story set in the time of the Glencoe Massacre in the Highlands of Scotland that her earlier work, THE IRISHMAN would be a treat. And it was. Oh, my.
Set in England in 1617, this is the story of Elizabeth Stafford, a baron’s daughter raised in Kent and, through her father’s wrangling, given an appointment in King James’ court as one of Queen Anne’s ladies. Before she ever gets to court, however, a carriage accident puts her in the clutches of Kieran O’Neill, last of the royal Irish family of the O’Neills, who has come to England on a secret mission he hopes will win his country’s freedom.
What can I say about a proud, dark Irish hero, descended from the Earls of Tyrone, who only wants to see Ireland free? And a high-spirited young Englishwoman, one of Queen Anne’s ladies-in-waiting, who rejects all her noble suitors for the love of such a man? The story is well-written, wringing with emotion and angst, and steeped in the history of the times. This one will keep you turning pages, I promise.
Roberson has done much research for this story and understands the feelings of the Catholic Irish, persecuted and suppressed by a Protestant England. I applaud her for that. King James I is a character who would have Elizabeth for his mistress and we see the debauched lifestyle of his court as Elizabeth tries to preserve her virtue. Her dialog is often brilliant, her storytelling compelling. Her characters vividly portrayed.
Note: The book was first published in 1986 under the title of ROYAL CAPTIVE but the author now has her rights back and decided the title she had in mind was more appropriate. I agree.
June 28, 2020
Royal Captive aka The Irishman is a magnificent treatment of born enemies evolving to transcendent lovers on a dark 16th century historical background of Ireland's woes at English hands and the lewd court of King James I, described as "one large bedroom". Through a coach accident, the English Lady Elizabeth meets an Irish warrior of noble blood on a clandestine mission she unwittingly endangers. Despite her uncommon beauty and youth, she is a lady of mettle negotiating to keep some moral standards frustrated by a venal father and unwanted husband she married in a futile attempt to avoid the attentions of a promiscuous king intent on exercising his "droit du seigneur". The man she comes to love is Kieran, The O'Neill, a towering charismatic hero haunted by his country's tragic fate, doomed to fight a losing battle for Ireland. Their attraction is immediate, underlying their initial collision course. When they eventually come together, their path is fraught with difficulty but their passion for each other surmounts their conflicting loyalties and the dangers each faces. A beautiful melancholy love story, including a poignant supporting character Bard.
This is not a light hearted romance but a rich tapestry of deeper love - of country and of soulmate.
This is not a light hearted romance but a rich tapestry of deeper love - of country and of soulmate.
December 29, 2012
All I can remember is that she is attracted to the hero, and the king wants her, so she decides to marry another man (I don't know why). But this man, on their wedding night, gives her to the king for some favors. She escapes being raped by the king but not by her husband the following day. Then she flies with the hero, and I think he kills the husband in a duel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews