Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Discussion thread for December 16 to 31, 2015 BOTM. Please remember to use the spoiler tags when necessary! (please see "some html is ok" for instructions)

Happy reading! :)

Like a pagan god, Rolfe the Relentless rode into Castle Aelfgar to claim it as his prize--and Lady Alice as his bride. Lauded for his bravery in France, in England he was the hated enemy. Once ensconced in his new domain, Rolfe became determined to tame the Saxon beauty Ceidre, Alice's illegitimate sister, whose spirit and sensuality make him risk treason to have her--not Lady Alice--in his bed...

Mysterious and seductive, she was no lady but a spy for the rebel cause of her noble half brothers. Refusing to bow to this arrogant warrior who ignited her forbidden passion, Ceidre was swept into a dangerous liaison tied to the fate of England and kings. Yet with his kisses on her lips, his skillful hands on her body, she would have to struggle not to surrender to... The Conqueror.

Yay, I've had this on my TBR for what seems like forever.

Me too! Haha

Ha ha aw man - I've read both books for December! Ah well. Gives me time to do some Christmas shopping instead.

This has been sitting on my tbr pile as well.

Sawyer wrote: "Ha ha aw man - I've read both books for December! Ah well. Gives me time to do some Christmas shopping instead."

You had a headstart! ;)

You can still chime in!

I'm starting this a bit early because I can use it for another challenge which is time sensitive. I will use spoiler tags.

You know it's a bodice ripper when (view spoiler)[ there is an attempted rape in the first chapter! (hide spoiler)]

It certainly is Lisa!

When I start reading this I'm going to look at the page count and compare to Stormfire's page count! Ha

I'm up to Chapter 22 now.

Despite the (view spoiler)[ threat of rape which happens throughout the story although I doubt that Rolfe would have followed through because of his feelings for Ceidre) (hide spoiler)] I'm wondering if this really falls into the category of a bodice ripper? Brutal times sure it is medieval and a time of conquest but I would classify this more of a historical romance typical of the style written in the 80's/90's. And the prose is only on the light side of purple too.

Rolfe is quite considerate for a "rampaging warrior" and Ceidre really does test him throughout the story.

I've finished. Quite enjoyed it although it did wrap up with all the loose ends completed rather abruptly. Definitely on the lighter side of the bodice ripper in comparison to some of the others I've read and the time period it is written about. Life was brutal in 1067!

(view spoiler)[ The whole trope of the woman being raped by an invader, quickly enjoying it and going on to fall passionately in love with him is definitely very un pc and quite offensive to our modern sensibilities in 2015. I just try to think objectively of when the book was written and the time period it was written about when I read bodice rippers now. (hide spoiler)]

3.5 stars.

I have found an ebook copy so it will be interesting to see if it has been "watered down" for modern consumption.

I'm at the 50% point. It's official, (view spoiler)[Rolf is TSTL! If his men had any sense, they would leave his service rather than swear fealty to such a thoroughgoing fool as Rolf! I am so sick Williams top commander "mooning over this traitorous girl. She made him look ridiculous in front of his King and his men all knew it. William is being portrayed as a softy. In real life, that man was utterly ruthless and mercilous--took no prisoners! (hide spoiler)]

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "I'm up to Chapter 22 now.

Despite the [spoilers removed] I'm wondering if this really falls into the category of a bodice ripper? Brutal times sure it is medieval and a time of conquest but I wou..."

I haven't seen anything of a bodice ripper yet. This h/H are a very stupid pair! Even in Stormfire (view spoiler)[Kit and Sean were nobody's fools for all of the crazypants stuff that went on! (hide spoiler)]

I'm a lot more forgiving when I read books written 20+ years ago. They just feel dated to me in the style they are written. There are only a few which really stand the test of time. Nevertheless, I didn't mind this one. But not a good example of a real bodice ripper.

Rolf was a bit of a sap...

I'm usually more forgiving of these "oldies" too, but Rolf (view spoiler)[put the "P" in pathetic! (hide spoiler)]

Speaking of the quality of writing for these HR being dated, I've read 3 of Christine Monson's 6 old out of print titles and the writing did not feel at all dated.

Oh Christine! You left us too soon! And left us with so little to remember you by!

YES. I really liked Christine Monson as well. I've read Stormfire and Rangoon both great examples of the genre.

Rangoon is one of the three I read. I really liked it. The third of her titles I read took place in India--the Sepoy Rebellion--I forgot the title, but I liked that too.

I'll have to hunt around and see if I can find that one.

Didn't the author die in a car accident? Very sad.

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "I'll have to hunt around and see if I can find that one.

Didn't the author die in a car accident? Very sad."

Christine M took her own life. I think she suffered from depression and left young children behind--how awful for those children.

I remember the title of the Sepoy Rebellion book--This Fiery Splendor.

Well finally! (view spoiler)[Rolf got what he wanted. But despite the rape, this book doesn't feel like a bodice ripper. Also, the H of a bodice ripper (I feel) must not be a pathetic sap! (hide spoiler)]

EDIT: (view spoiler)[Just because there was a violent rape, this book doesn't have, I feel, any other elements of the bodice ripper. This book is not epic in scope. I feel that Rangoon was epic in scope, had other elements of a bodice ripper, but no "forced seduction" but it was an epic and had an exotic location. (hide spoiler)]

That's awful about Christine Monson. I had no idea. Her books were certainly epic.

Saw your review, Andrea. I hate TSTL heroines! Ughhhh

I should have trusted your review, Andrea!

Kat, the Hero was more TSTL than anyone else.

UGH YES, I HATED HIM.

You really hated it that much. Wow. It was a mid level read for me. Not fantastic but readable.

I couldn't stand that hero. He didn't act as William the Bastard's top commander should behave.

He had the spine of a well-done noodle, I mean the hero.

Unfortunately. I actually had high hopes for this one. I had a problem at first with the writing style and then I met the H/h and it went downhill from there.

I was very disappointed with this book.

When I started this book, I was ready for reading entertainment of no common order.

I've read some HR where the Hs were nasty customer, but never pathetic like this guy.

I was too through when (view spoiler)[the h made him look incompetent in front of William by letting the Hs prisoner escape (hide spoiler)]

You ladies have made me rethink my star rating. All very valid points. I'm going to drop it to three stars because I didn't hate it like you but it definitely had characterisation problems.

Martha wrote: "Well I finished that says a lot. I could not get into this book from the beginning it was slow and really didn't come together for me. Just didn't enjoy the characters or story line it was just odd..."

Haha. Sorry about that. Want a buddy read to make up for it?