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The Chastelayne Trilogy #2
By Love Redeemed
After two long years of war, Prince Thomas Chastelayne is eager for his wife, Elizabeth, to arrive from her home in safe lands. Complete strangers on their wedding day and separated by war since their honeymoon, can they find true love together?.
272 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1997
About the author
DeAnna Julie Dodson
48 books94 followersDeAnna Julie Dodson has always been an avid reader and a lover of storytelling, whether on the page, the screen or the stage. This, along with her keen interest in history and her Christian faith, shows in her tales of love, forgiveness and triumph over adversity. A fifth-generation Texan, she makes her home north of Dallas with four spoiled cats and, when not writing, spends her free time quilting, cross stitching and watching NHL hockey. Her first books, In Honor Bound, By Love Redeemed and To Grace Surrendered, are a trilogy of medieval romances and have just been redesigned and freshly edited for Kindle. She is also the author of the contemporary mystery, Letters in the Attic, and has recently signed on to write another Annie's Attic Mystery: The Key in the Attic, due out in 2012. Her newest books, yet to be released, are A Dinner of Herbs, a Civil War drama, and a 1930s English mystery, Rules of Murder. Civil as an Orange, her current work in progress, is the sequel to Rules of Murder. You can find out more about DeAnna and her books, including sample chapters, at her website: http://www.deannajuliedodson.com/
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 20, 2017
I normally don't like books that are so heavy on the romance. Dodson books are different though. When I think back at them I don't think about the swoon-worthy scenes (most of the time ;) I think about the amazing pictures she wove of Christ-like love.
This book was amazing. It explored, through an amazing story. How Christ loved the church and how men are supposed to express that to their wives. It dealt with so hard issues and there are a lot of references to the marriage bed. However, the story was so beautiful in its picture of Christ's love, forgiveness, and the picture that marriage is supposed to be.
I highly recommend this book to older readers.
This book was amazing. It explored, through an amazing story. How Christ loved the church and how men are supposed to express that to their wives. It dealt with so hard issues and there are a lot of references to the marriage bed. However, the story was so beautiful in its picture of Christ's love, forgiveness, and the picture that marriage is supposed to be.
I highly recommend this book to older readers.
May 1, 2012
I loved 'In Honor Bound' and really liked this novel, the second in Miss Dodson's 'Chastelayne Trilogy', though I confess I did not love it as much as the first. As before the novel was quite historically authentic and the author has clearly taken great pains to make the language of the characters authentic too.
Readers of the first book will love ‘seeing’ the characters from it again growing, developing and having to face new challenges. Tom the brother of Philip was one of my favourite characters from the first book, so I particularly enjoyed the way that this novel focused on him.
As with many other readers, I hated seeing him hurt and mistreated by his wife Elisabeth, who repaid his love and affection by slapping him in the face, both literally and proverbially. I can also fully understand why other readers are so annoyed by her shrewishness, and over possessive jealousy which caused her to condemn Tom as a lecher if he so much as talked to another woman. Yet for all this she was willing to believe that she was wrong, even though she was too strong-willed to admit it, and all her disgraceful treatment of Tom was essential to the storyline.
Again, the attitudes and values of the characters reflected those which would have been common at the time, and, unlike the characters in Robin Hardy's 'Medieval' series the Latter Annals of Lystra they do not hypocritically hold some people subject to these standards and others as exempt, or condemn some people for immoral and disreputable behaviour and regard it as perfectly acceptable for other people to do things which are worse. The author is also clearly familiar with the legal and political conventions of 15th century Europe and England, and details of these really add a more realistic edge to the story.
There were a few historical issues, such as the mention of characters riding in carriages which were extremely rare in the medieval times and two characters fighting with rapiers which were not used until at least a century after the time the story is set.
There were a couple of scenes which did seem a little implausible in their details such as Tom engaging in single combat with an expert swordsman yet not wearing any armour, or the sheer absurdity of King going off to deal with potentially a potentially dangerous situation without any reinforcements or an armed escort.
There was much more emphasis on Romantic rather than Historical content in this novel than the first, which was one of the reasons I did not always enjoy this novel quite so much as the prequel, but this content worked well with the storyline and was presented (usually) tastefully and sensitively.
Personally, I did not feel that the 'sexual' or rather Romantic content was ever too graphic (unlike that in Robin Hardy's books) or that the author ever actually went too far and described sexual acts in detail, she always stops short of doing this and more important knows when to stop so as not to stray beyond the bounds of taste and decency.
I also feel that there is more of a commitment to and emphasis upon truth and truthfulness in this series than in others. The characters are flawed, but they are honest about what is right and wrong, and about their own behaviour and others.
Elisabeth for instance willingly admits that she was responsible for her adulterous liaison any only engaged in it to ‘get her own back’ on him when she wrongfully believed he had been unfaithful, whereas other authors would have tried to lay the responsibility entirely upon Tom’s shoulders.
Altogether, another great instalment in an excellent series that far surpasses many others in quality and content, but is sadly under appreciated. The only things I did not like were
1. The cover image of the paperback version, which is whimsical, silly, unrealistic and inaccurate.
2. The fact that is book is out of print
I look forward to the third and final novel, but the feeling is bittersweet knowing that it will be the last in the trilogy.
Readers of the first book will love ‘seeing’ the characters from it again growing, developing and having to face new challenges. Tom the brother of Philip was one of my favourite characters from the first book, so I particularly enjoyed the way that this novel focused on him.
As with many other readers, I hated seeing him hurt and mistreated by his wife Elisabeth, who repaid his love and affection by slapping him in the face, both literally and proverbially. I can also fully understand why other readers are so annoyed by her shrewishness, and over possessive jealousy which caused her to condemn Tom as a lecher if he so much as talked to another woman. Yet for all this she was willing to believe that she was wrong, even though she was too strong-willed to admit it, and all her disgraceful treatment of Tom was essential to the storyline.
Again, the attitudes and values of the characters reflected those which would have been common at the time, and, unlike the characters in Robin Hardy's 'Medieval' series the Latter Annals of Lystra they do not hypocritically hold some people subject to these standards and others as exempt, or condemn some people for immoral and disreputable behaviour and regard it as perfectly acceptable for other people to do things which are worse. The author is also clearly familiar with the legal and political conventions of 15th century Europe and England, and details of these really add a more realistic edge to the story.
There were a few historical issues, such as the mention of characters riding in carriages which were extremely rare in the medieval times and two characters fighting with rapiers which were not used until at least a century after the time the story is set.
There were a couple of scenes which did seem a little implausible in their details such as Tom engaging in single combat with an expert swordsman yet not wearing any armour, or the sheer absurdity of King going off to deal with potentially a potentially dangerous situation without any reinforcements or an armed escort.
There was much more emphasis on Romantic rather than Historical content in this novel than the first, which was one of the reasons I did not always enjoy this novel quite so much as the prequel, but this content worked well with the storyline and was presented (usually) tastefully and sensitively.
Personally, I did not feel that the 'sexual' or rather Romantic content was ever too graphic (unlike that in Robin Hardy's books) or that the author ever actually went too far and described sexual acts in detail, she always stops short of doing this and more important knows when to stop so as not to stray beyond the bounds of taste and decency.
I also feel that there is more of a commitment to and emphasis upon truth and truthfulness in this series than in others. The characters are flawed, but they are honest about what is right and wrong, and about their own behaviour and others.
Elisabeth for instance willingly admits that she was responsible for her adulterous liaison any only engaged in it to ‘get her own back’ on him when she wrongfully believed he had been unfaithful, whereas other authors would have tried to lay the responsibility entirely upon Tom’s shoulders.
Altogether, another great instalment in an excellent series that far surpasses many others in quality and content, but is sadly under appreciated. The only things I did not like were
1. The cover image of the paperback version, which is whimsical, silly, unrealistic and inaccurate.
2. The fact that is book is out of print
I look forward to the third and final novel, but the feeling is bittersweet knowing that it will be the last in the trilogy.
January 23, 2014
There were parts of this book that I loved (the first 1/3) and parts that I hated. But despite some maddening moments, it ends beautifully and one cannot help but love the hero :)
January 30, 2012
There are so many thing to love about this trilogy and one of them is that the story continues with other members of the Chastelayne Family .
In this story we get to learn more about Tom. Tom was Married to Elizabeth but they have been separated from each other since. The problems with the realm and war has kept Tom away from his wife and he so longs to be with her . Elizabeth on the other had considers Tom a virtual stranger and has no real love for him just a bitterness because of the separation.
Elizabeth is easily turn to a friend who will cause Tom and her a lot of pain and suffering.
This book is about forgiveness and the healing power of love and devotion. Tom is so steadfast and faithful in his devotion to Christ that he is able to forgive and still love truly.
This book is filled with emotion and heartache and woven through it is the message that forgiveness and Love are always the best choice no matter the circumstances. Tom is the loving hero in this story and its his devotion to the Lord and his love for his wife that makes if possible for his to forgive what others could not especially in this time period.
It also show that with this faithful love and devotion Elizabeth will come to realize the transforming power of Christ , his forgiveness and grace. this is a story of second chances in the face of betrayal in a time when such things were not tolerated well.
I loved, Loved, this story its as good as the first book in this trilogy and a must read for Christians and non Christians alike and Medieval romance at its finest
In this story we get to learn more about Tom. Tom was Married to Elizabeth but they have been separated from each other since. The problems with the realm and war has kept Tom away from his wife and he so longs to be with her . Elizabeth on the other had considers Tom a virtual stranger and has no real love for him just a bitterness because of the separation.
Elizabeth is easily turn to a friend who will cause Tom and her a lot of pain and suffering.
This book is about forgiveness and the healing power of love and devotion. Tom is so steadfast and faithful in his devotion to Christ that he is able to forgive and still love truly.
This book is filled with emotion and heartache and woven through it is the message that forgiveness and Love are always the best choice no matter the circumstances. Tom is the loving hero in this story and its his devotion to the Lord and his love for his wife that makes if possible for his to forgive what others could not especially in this time period.
It also show that with this faithful love and devotion Elizabeth will come to realize the transforming power of Christ , his forgiveness and grace. this is a story of second chances in the face of betrayal in a time when such things were not tolerated well.
I loved, Loved, this story its as good as the first book in this trilogy and a must read for Christians and non Christians alike and Medieval romance at its finest
November 25, 2019
This is a fantastic yet heart-wrenching story about forgiveness.
And about the difference between being guilty of something and holding that guilt within you.
I remember almost nothing from the first book, but some things came back to me as I read. Others didn’t, but I made do just fine.
Prince Tom and his wife Elizabeth are reunited, and the mental abuse (my word, but it’s really what happened) that the nuns did to her when she was in the convent really come through here. She knows very little of Scripture, does not actually know of God’s love, and thinks that it’s sinful to desire her husband in any sexual way. Despite Tom’s words, she first believes that he expects her to be meek and solely the mother of children--or at least, very little more. And she thinks that the king and queen kissing in public is akin to whoring.
There is a family friend of Elizabeth’s named Taliferro who is creepy from the start. Half of his part in the story is predictable; the other half isn’t.
I like that Tom calls her Bess; it’s a cute nickname and makes me think of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
I love the constant prayer these people have, especially Tom. And he is led to prayer by others in his life, particularly female friends. Dodson does a fantastic job showing the dichotomy in the roles of males and females, as well as the complementary aspects of the two genders. Tom’s nanny from his childhood, Joan, and her daughter, Nan, are fantastic companions to Tom and Elizabeth, respectively.
Tom falling asleep while holding Elizabeth’s hand in his prayers is heartwarming.
Phillip is an awesome king, one who is fair to all. I like that he ensures that even the girls in inns are not roughhoused. And, when he learns that Kate just might be alive, he proves his love to Rosalynde and his recognition of Robin while respecting his first vows. It’s a tense situation and some of his story is also predictable, until it’s not.
Tom is considered a Heretic by many, and even calls himself one (though against the church as a system). Yet a monk states that he is heretical against hypocrisy, but not against the church and his devotion to Christ--the true church. It’s beautiful.
What else is beautiful is how Elizabeth opens up to him, at least at first.
And it is only then that I like Elizabeth and feel bad for her, mainly for the reasons I listed above.
But then, between 30 and 40% in, I can’t stand her. She complains to Tom about him, mainly because of lies that Ellen feeds her (Elizabeth FINALLY calling those words ‘poison’ is a great point of the book), wonders how she can 100% trust his words when other men behave so contradictory, questions his love, and then suspects him every which way even when he is obviously with the king’s counsel. So then she does something to spite him and still doesn’t trust him and listens to Ellen and I just want to punch her in the face. And through it all she’s a whining child. Like just SHUT. UP. Grow up. Listen to what you are bloody saying and thinking. Don’t be so freaking bipolar over everything, my word.
Ellen even sneers when Elizabeth and Tom are obviously having sex, essentially calling her a slut. I actually probably wouldn’t have minded if she burned (I’m okay with feeling this way about fictional characters), but I like that Elizabeth ses her as a ‘hurt people hurt people’ and instead just sends her away.
But I want to gouge her eyes out (and still punch Elizabeth).
The girl Molly from the first book joins the palace workers and the rumours start (obviously), but I like her. I like her a lot. I like that Elizabeth [initially] seems to believe the girl (and then goes berserk again, making me not feel bad for her again).
BECAUSE THEN SHE ASKS TOM TO BREAK A VOW TO GOD. My word, woman you are a selfish and malicious JERK. “It was all a lie then. All those times you said you loved me.”
Manipulative. Wench. I truly despise her.
I flipping LOVE Nan at that moment though. I liked her and Joan before, but by 65% in, the two are my favourite females. Down with Elizabeth.
Both Tom and Phillip join the civvies for some time, which is a nice break of the royalty for the reader, as well as a good look into the actual happenings of the kingdom. I have a feeling that’ll all come into play later.
Phillip leaves to find Kate and Tom is acting as leader in his stead. I feel bad for all Tom has to carry on his shoulders. Jerome goes with Phiilip and I’m so used to people turning on others, that I wasn’t sure about trusting him at first. Poor ‘kid’ though.
Words cannot describe how happy I was when Elizabeth suggested taking a pilgrimage to the convent where she was brought up, FINALLY heeding Nan’s words to pray and CONFESS wait and let time pass. That ‘girl’ is so smart.
I’m a bit concerned as to what the nuns may say, but the shrine and a priest are sure to benefit her.
Obviously Phillip lives, but why is a great twist I didn’t see and puts me on edge. It is also interesting and something that I, erm, enjoy reading for the sake of the plot. I especially like that Phillip puts his entire life in God’s hands. It’s a good reminder that sometimes our freedom comes in the guise of death.
We learn of what is going on with Rose’s sister Margeret.
And about the difference between being guilty of something and holding that guilt within you.
I remember almost nothing from the first book, but some things came back to me as I read. Others didn’t, but I made do just fine.
Prince Tom and his wife Elizabeth are reunited, and the mental abuse (my word, but it’s really what happened) that the nuns did to her when she was in the convent really come through here. She knows very little of Scripture, does not actually know of God’s love, and thinks that it’s sinful to desire her husband in any sexual way. Despite Tom’s words, she first believes that he expects her to be meek and solely the mother of children--or at least, very little more. And she thinks that the king and queen kissing in public is akin to whoring.
There is a family friend of Elizabeth’s named Taliferro who is creepy from the start. Half of his part in the story is predictable; the other half isn’t.
I like that Tom calls her Bess; it’s a cute nickname and makes me think of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
I love the constant prayer these people have, especially Tom. And he is led to prayer by others in his life, particularly female friends. Dodson does a fantastic job showing the dichotomy in the roles of males and females, as well as the complementary aspects of the two genders. Tom’s nanny from his childhood, Joan, and her daughter, Nan, are fantastic companions to Tom and Elizabeth, respectively.
Tom falling asleep while holding Elizabeth’s hand in his prayers is heartwarming.
Phillip is an awesome king, one who is fair to all. I like that he ensures that even the girls in inns are not roughhoused. And, when he learns that Kate just might be alive, he proves his love to Rosalynde and his recognition of Robin while respecting his first vows. It’s a tense situation and some of his story is also predictable, until it’s not.
Tom is considered a Heretic by many, and even calls himself one (though against the church as a system). Yet a monk states that he is heretical against hypocrisy, but not against the church and his devotion to Christ--the true church. It’s beautiful.
What else is beautiful is how Elizabeth opens up to him, at least at first.
And it is only then that I like Elizabeth and feel bad for her, mainly for the reasons I listed above.
But then, between 30 and 40% in, I can’t stand her. She complains to Tom about him, mainly because of lies that Ellen feeds her (Elizabeth FINALLY calling those words ‘poison’ is a great point of the book), wonders how she can 100% trust his words when other men behave so contradictory, questions his love, and then suspects him every which way even when he is obviously with the king’s counsel. So then she does something to spite him and still doesn’t trust him and listens to Ellen and I just want to punch her in the face. And through it all she’s a whining child. Like just SHUT. UP. Grow up. Listen to what you are bloody saying and thinking. Don’t be so freaking bipolar over everything, my word.
Ellen even sneers when Elizabeth and Tom are obviously having sex, essentially calling her a slut. I actually probably wouldn’t have minded if she burned (I’m okay with feeling this way about fictional characters), but I like that Elizabeth ses her as a ‘hurt people hurt people’ and instead just sends her away.
But I want to gouge her eyes out (and still punch Elizabeth).
The girl Molly from the first book joins the palace workers and the rumours start (obviously), but I like her. I like her a lot. I like that Elizabeth [initially] seems to believe the girl (and then goes berserk again, making me not feel bad for her again).
BECAUSE THEN SHE ASKS TOM TO BREAK A VOW TO GOD. My word, woman you are a selfish and malicious JERK. “It was all a lie then. All those times you said you loved me.”
Manipulative. Wench. I truly despise her.
I flipping LOVE Nan at that moment though. I liked her and Joan before, but by 65% in, the two are my favourite females. Down with Elizabeth.
Both Tom and Phillip join the civvies for some time, which is a nice break of the royalty for the reader, as well as a good look into the actual happenings of the kingdom. I have a feeling that’ll all come into play later.
Phillip leaves to find Kate and Tom is acting as leader in his stead. I feel bad for all Tom has to carry on his shoulders. Jerome goes with Phiilip and I’m so used to people turning on others, that I wasn’t sure about trusting him at first. Poor ‘kid’ though.
Words cannot describe how happy I was when Elizabeth suggested taking a pilgrimage to the convent where she was brought up, FINALLY heeding Nan’s words to pray and CONFESS wait and let time pass. That ‘girl’ is so smart.
I’m a bit concerned as to what the nuns may say, but the shrine and a priest are sure to benefit her.
Obviously Phillip lives, but why is a great twist I didn’t see and puts me on edge. It is also interesting and something that I, erm, enjoy reading for the sake of the plot. I especially like that Phillip puts his entire life in God’s hands. It’s a good reminder that sometimes our freedom comes in the guise of death.
We learn of what is going on with Rose’s sister Margeret.
May 3, 2013
Words can't express how wonderful and powerful this book is; it expresses how God truly loves and how we are supposed to return that love to others. This book is much better than the first book in the series and I so glad I have discover The Chastelayn Trilogy. Deanna , please write more Christian Romance very soon.
July 9, 2013
This is a beautiful depiction of Christ's sacrificial love for us, through a man living out his faith in breath-taking selflessness. This should be required reading for all couples, whether married or engaged.
April 21, 2013
Interesting...should be rated 4 to 5 stars.
October 22, 2014
excellent - best gospel presentation I have seen in a novel - and it wasn't weird.
September 14, 2019
Tom is my new book husband 😘
August 26, 2010
I read these books out of order (and Many years apart) starting with the first and then the third over eight years ago and finally this one. I have to say that while it was a great bridging book (I always wondered what happened to Margaret) it wasn't nearly as strong as the other two.
Ellen pissed me off at every turn. I know that there are women so embittered by life to poison those around them but the constant assault of negativity was grating after awhile.
As always Phillip and Rose were the perfect flawed characters that I've come to expect. I hated that they once again had to go through the wringer over Kate. How dare her memory be used as ammunition against them. (I hate injustice in all it's forms).
Overall good story but it could have been much stronger.
Ellen pissed me off at every turn. I know that there are women so embittered by life to poison those around them but the constant assault of negativity was grating after awhile.
As always Phillip and Rose were the perfect flawed characters that I've come to expect. I hated that they once again had to go through the wringer over Kate. How dare her memory be used as ammunition against them. (I hate injustice in all it's forms).
Overall good story but it could have been much stronger.
November 9, 2010
Probably more like 3.5 stars. I really loved the male protagonist in this book when he was introduced as a secondary character in the first book in this series "In Honor Bound". I generally like the guys in my books to be the "grouchy on the outside", wounded, bad-boy type, but I couldn't help but love Tom. It was nice to finally have his story, and the only thing keeping this from being a 4 star book is that I couldn't STAND Elizabeth for the first 3/4 of the book. She was such a snobby wench, and treated Tom like crap. It was also a bit unbelievable how much he tolerated, and I was glad that he finally stood up to her towards the end. Overall, good book, and I'll read the third, and last, in the series if I can find it at the library.
January 14, 2016
Too much of the same thing over and over, not to mention a very unlikeable heroine, kept me from being able to rate this book more highly. It was a struggle to get through the first half, but fortunately there was an intriguing side plot involving Philip and Rosalynde to add some interest to the story. (Although it was admittedly a bit hard to believe how stupidly it was handled...)
February 7, 2016
The second book in this trilogy....I enjoyed the first book better because of the content was more historical. This book was pretty full of sex, affairs etc. However I did read the whole book and gave it 3 stars.
August 3, 2013
Good but not as good as the first.
March 8, 2016
Another Must Read!!!
As I have mentioned before, I am in love with historical romances that resonate with truth. Please don't pass this trilogy by!
As I have mentioned before, I am in love with historical romances that resonate with truth. Please don't pass this trilogy by!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews