Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Discussion thread for the Second BOTM of March 2021. Please remember to use the spoiler tags when necessary! (Please see 'some html is ok' for instructions.)

Happy Reading!


The Bride and the Beast by Teresa Medeiros


Dear Reader,

I'd been prowling the crumbling ruins of Castle Weyrcraig for so long that I could no longer remember if I was man or beast. Then one stormy night the superstitious Highlanders of Ballybliss decided to leave a helpless virgin bound to a stake in the castle courtyard to satisfy my insatiable appetites.

My demands might strike terror in the hearts of men, but this bold beauty dared to defy me. After she informed me that she didn't believe in dragons, I had no choice but to make her my prisoner--or risk being exposed to those I had sought to deceive with my dangerous masquerade.

Soon I found myself stealing into the moonlit tower just to watch her sleep. Little does she know that beneath this beast's gruff exterior beats the passionate heart of a man. Gwendolyn Wilder may not believe in dragons, but I intend to use all my sensual wiles to teach her to believe in something even more magical--true love.

Eternally yours,

The Dragon of Weyrcraig

This was already on my TBR, so I am definitely not disappointed.

I'm in

Very excited for this one!

Read this one years ago so I'm excited to re-read it.

I'm planning to start reading this evening.

I finished it . Was Ok.

I read the prologue and chapters 1 through 6 last night. I am really enjoying it thus far - better than book 1 in fact. There are quite a few varying opinions as I see one star and five star ratings.

The style is unique. The characters are almost caricatures. There is humor along with a mix of bodice ripper (like when (view spoiler)[" the shadow of one dusky nipple peeped shyly out from between the satin strands of honey gold hair that spilled over her breasts" (hide spoiler)]) and gothic melodrama (the dark and spooky castle). I'm just going along for the ride and allowing Medeiros to take the story where she will.

@Mariana, for a moment there, I thought you were discussing Lord of Scoundrels. I was like, I don't remember that description from your spoiler in Lord of Scoundrels. Then you mentioned Medeiros and I realized I was in the wrong thread. lol

Missy wrote: "@Mariana, for a moment there, I thought you were discussing Lord of Scoundrels. I was like, I don't remember that description from your spoiler in Lord of Scoundrels. Then you mention..."

Lol! I'm starting that one next.

Darbella wrote: "Prologue: Location Scotland, the Highlands 1746
Gwendolyn: [spoilers removed]
Bernard: [spoilers removed]"

I agree with your prologue comments. It was a fun introduction.

I think I'll begin this book after I finish Lord of Scoundrels and my other ongoing books.

I finished. I enjoyed part 1 more than part 2, but it was an overall enjoyable book.

Okay I've finished it and ended up rather disappointed. I disliked Gwendolyn for much of the book; and I could not figure out what on earth the Dragon theme was meant to achieve. It was a diversion.

As a Scot - I found the author's depiction of Scots and Scotland totally insulting and historically inaccurate. I know this won't bother all readers but it certainly bothered me, but I don't want to subject you to my rant! I'll simply post a link to my review.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm looking forward to the next group read!

Darbella wrote: "Susan in Perthshire: I enjoyed your rant. Thanks for posting the link to it. Very interesting information. :)"

Thank you so much! I didn’t want to bore anyone who isn’t interested in the historical stuff, so I thought the link to my full review was a good compromise! 😉

Okay, started this last night. I read it years ago, probably right after if first came out. I love TM’s writing style because it’s typically light and fun and flows quickly. I don’t expect her books to be overly historically accurate. I think some authors strive for that and some are just happy writing fairytales (like this one).

So far I’m enjoying this book, about 80 pages into it. Love that our heroine in plump and wants extra food (I feel that).

I knew from the description that this book wasn't going to be my cup of tea so haven't read it, but have been reading, and enjoying, the group discussion.

And @Susan, I must say that I totally agree w/ Darbella: that was a great rant (I always enjoy a good rant:) and the historical info you provided was interesting and very educational!

Cath wrote: "I knew from the description that this book wasn't going to be my cup of tea so haven't read it, but have been reading, and enjoying, the group discussion.

And @Susan, I must say that I totally agree w/ Darbella: that was a great rant (I always enjoy a good rant:) and the historical info you provided was interesting and very educational!"

Cath I agree with everything you said. This book doesn't look like my cup of tea either, but it's good to see some are enjoying it.

Susan, I found your 'rant' worth a read. I too am a fan of historical accuracy, and although I'm no historian, when I notice inaccuracies it turns me right off a book. Hence why this one isn't my cup of tea. I can see that people can enjoy it on its other merits though, and just go along for a fun ride.

Happy reading, everyone.

@Susan, I wish I had your knowledge of the history of this era. I get lost whenever I read a highlander HR and they mention the kings/princes, the Jacobites, Culloden, etc. I tried reading about it on Wikipedia, but I couldn't retain all that I've read.

I really was intrigued by the prologue but as I read on I'm unsure if I will finish. Do we ever get past how promiscuous the sister's are? I feel like that is all that is talk or thought about?

I have this book but I haven’t started. I realized my ARCs were beginning to pile up again, so I am trying to get a couple of those completed first.

Topastro wrote: "I really was intrigued by the prologue but as I read on I'm unsure if I will finish. Do we ever get past how promiscuous the sister's are? I feel like that is all that is talk or thought about?"

How far are you? I mean I don't feel like once she is away from them that there is that much focus on their promiscuity. But they are thought of a lot, as is her dad since she is away from them.

Jan, Cath, Missy, Darbella -
Thanks so much for your comments and your understanding!! I know lots of readers aren't bothered by historical inaccuracies and if the book was set in the Ming Dynasty in China, I wouldn't know enough to notice either!

It just so happens being a Scot, living in Scotland, and particularly interested in history - I tend to spot these things.

Topastro - I totally agree about the sisters. This was such a boring story element.

I'm starting this one as soon as I finish the 2 I'm already working on.

Actually Joanna I changed my mind. I'm going to start book #1 tonight. It fits a challenge that I need to read this week. When are you planning on starting it?

Mamacita wrote: "Actually Joanna I changed my mind. I'm going to start book #1 tonight. It fits a challenge that I need to read this week. When are you planning on starting it?"

For The Making of a Duchess?

I can probably start tomorrow not sure about tonight. I’ll put a thread up.

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Mamacita wrote: "Actually Joanna I changed my mind. I'm going to start book #1 tonight. It fits a challenge that I need to read this week. When are you planning on starting it?"

For [book:The Maki..."

Fun!

Topastro wrote: "I really was intrigued by the prologue but as I read on I'm unsure if I will finish. Do we ever get past how promiscuous the sister's are? I feel like that is all that is talk or thought about?"

The sisters don't stop being promiscuous, but it becomes a smaller focus later.

Is this a true stand-alone or is it interconnected with Charming the Prince??

Mamacita wrote: "Is this a true stand-alone or is it interconnected with Charming the Prince??"

Looks like Charming the Prince is book 1 and connected. I didn’t realize that or I may have read the first book first.

Mamacita wrote: "Is this a true stand-alone or is it interconnected with Charming the Prince??"

They're all stand alone, Charming the Prince it like 1300's or 1400's. No characters cross over, just all fairytale themed.

I read up to chapter 9. The story is kind of slow right now. Not as many interactions between the hero and heroine yet but I hope that changes soon.

Missy wrote: "I read up to chapter 9. The story is kind of slow right now. Not as many interactions between the hero and heroine yet but I hope that changes soon."

I keep trying to get into it, but I get distracted. I will try to read some more tonight. I am in Chapter 1, lol.

Ch.11: (view spoiler)[Umm...I'm not entirely sure why she refused to eat for two days. Can anyone explain her reasoning for me? I might have missed it. Was it just to get his attention since he's been avoiding her? And she's already falling in love with him, which I think is a bit too soon. (hide spoiler)]

Missy wrote: "Ch.11: [spoilers removed]"

Sorry, I remember that I knew at the time but that was too many books ago for me to specifically recall. lol
He wouldn't come to the tower or something or let her go. I can't exactly remember.

@ Midniteillusion (Desiree): Yeah, I figure it was to get his attention. Thanks!

Finished. (view spoiler)[Not one of Teresa Medeiros's best books in my opinion. I still think the H/h fell in love way too soon when they barely had any interactions nor got to know each other at all.

I forgot where the comment was about the heroine's promiscuous sisters, but, yeah, I can't believe how accepting everyone was of their promiscuity. (hide spoiler)]

I'm really behind on all my BR's. I'm just now starting this one... 🤦‍♀️

Page 5

I’m still only 35% — I can see the appeal of this one, but it hasn’t quite pulled me in.

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "I’m still only 35% — I can see the appeal of this one, but it hasn’t quite pulled me in."

I didn't like it as well as Charming the Prince when I reread that one a few months ago for BOTM but I was happy that it was light and easy.