The Innocent

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Summary: A harlequin romance novel set in 15th century England
Review: A bodice-ripper with a young, innocent girl as its heroine, The Innocent follows the story of Anne, a peasant girl. The prologue of the book narrates the bizarre circumstances of her birth; the reader isn't told who wants her young mother killed, or why straight off. Anne lives in the forest with her foster mother Deborah, learning the art of herbal medicine. There's a bit of religion involved- not only traditional Christianity, but pagan rituals as well.

At the age of 15 she goes to the manor house of Sir Matthew Cuttifer to become a body servant to his wife. A series of unfortunate circumstances leads to the death of a servant girl who works with Anne. Hearing of the wonders she performs, the Queen has Anne come to court, where she catches the eye of King Edward IV. The book is all about lust, and how Anne tries to suppress her lust for the king. And, like a harlequin romance novel, the female characters in this book are extremely shallow and empty-headed; Anne never seems to be able to think for herself. One would think that, escaping the lustful attention of Matthew Cuttifer's son, Anne would be able to resist temptation by not having sex with the king.

While the book could have had less sex and death in it (most of it disturbing accounts of rape and kinky sex), it is still very well written, with a lot of detail, especially with regards to clothing and hair. I'm a huge fan of English history, especially medieval history; this book was quite a pleasure to read and much less taxing on the brain than other, denser historical novels. Its good for the beach or an airplane ride.

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Summary: Hard to put down
Review: As a reader who enjoys historical novels and was after a light read over the Christmas break this one hit the spot. It kept you intrigued and had the right amount of romance to keep the reader interested. I would particularly recommend it to anyone who likes Diana Gabaldon or Jane Dunn.

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Summary: REALLY A ROMANCE NOVEL WITH A NICE COVER
Review: Behind the beautiful cover of this book, touted as "historical fiction", lurks nothing but a romance novel. This book is melodramatic and while there's not a lot of action, there's not a lot of character development either. At 400+ pages, this book could have been edited to about 100. The author repeatedly describes our heroine, with the same words each time-simple, her gracefulness,dignity, simple, simple, etc. This book should have been published as a mass market paperback with a swooning heroine on the cover to alert us as to its contents. Now, I've wasted my time and energy when I could have been reading some real literature. Not recommended, unless, I guess, you're a fan of historical "romance" novel.

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Summary: Amazing story
Review: From the first page I felt I was really living in this world. And from the first words, the story swept me up and did not let me go. My heart goes out to Anne in her long journey towards love - and just adore that bad-boy, Edward IV. Did not want it to end. Desperately want to know what happens next!

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Summary: Not very Innocent!
Review: I am drawn to books by the reverse of the saying "Do not judge a book by it's cover" because that is in fact exactly what I do. It was recommended to me from the site and of course online it is the cover which draws you in enough to read the description. It is usually the case [judging by the cover] unless a person [not a computer] recommended it to you. I bought the book on a whim ... the description was rather catching and I've always loved medieval historical fiction. I started reading and I thought to myself I love this book already. Only once I hit the chapters containing very "graphic" descriptions of "attempted rape/abusive sex/and affairs" did I begin to realize I hopped to be ride of it and in the middle of a battle scene. I have no doubt though that the author could have throw these flings into a war scene just as easily as the others. It was absolutely, in my opinion, disgusting; there was no indication that there would be graphic sex scenes. I am thankfully to the other reviewers for they have pointed it out for other possible buyers. I am also glad I am not the only one who felt the way I do about this book. I just found out also that there are more installments. God; what can you write after you find out Anne went down the path of her Mother's choices [getting pregnant by a married king]. Also what the hell ... how did a relationship between a womanizing arrogant king and a supposed innocent educated young lady become so "in trawled" when the book did not have them say anything intelligent to one another; they hardly even talked. The book was drawn out; I wouldn't have minded the number of pages if it was detailed in the right areas. Overall I would not recommend this book unless you are in a runt ... meaning you cannot find anything else and you are desperate. Leave this book to the romance novelists ...

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Summary: Excellent storytelling
Review: In 1450, no place in England can be considered safe as the War of the Roses soaks the country in a bloody conflict. A group of soldiers are attacked in a forest. One of the escorted females Jehanne helps a pregnant woman obtain relative safety. However, the woman dies giving birth to Anne. Out of no where, Deborah appears to escort Jehanne and Anne to a haven. Over the next fifteen years Deborah raises Anne like she is her own daughter within the sanctuary of the forest. The youngster learns about herbs and healing while living a pleasant peasant life.

After a scything, Deborah takes Anne to London where her radiant holy-like smile obtains her a servant's job in the household of Mathew Cutifer. Not long afterward, word spreads through the streets of the city about this extraordinary healer living in the Cutifer household. When her skill saves the life of the queen, King Edward IV moves her into his place as a royal healer. However, Edward and Anne fall in love, but both know nothing beyond clandestine trysts can happen between them because his monarchy remains shaky though the civil war is over and he cannot afford a scandal.

THE INNOCENT is a magnificent medieval love story starring a fabulous protagonist who readers will cherish. The story line has plenty of royal intrigue, but focuses on the star-crossed taboo relationship between the married monarch and the heavenly healer. If this delightful fifteenth century relationship drama is any indication, sub-genre fans have a treat as Posie Graeme-Evans owes two more tales in this trilogy.

Harriet Klausner

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Summary: The smell of a pre-Tudor Rose
Review: The great thing about this book is that you smell the smells (and there are plenty of them, not all pleasant), hear the sounds, taste the food (not always so great), and experience the sensations (biting cold, strange clothing, vermin)of a period far removed from our own.
Posie Graeme-Evans is obviously obsessed with the minutiae of the period her heroine inhabits. She loves the houses and the countryside. She loves the stuff of Royalty and greatness. She loves the detail of the food and the sanitary arrangements. But above all she knows how to put it all together and tell a good story. This book rocks along. It's no Georgette Heyer shrinking violet. Here be throughly ripped bodices, here be wham-bam sexual mores, here be bloody intrigue and murder. And here be nailbiting jeopardy aplenty for a heroine with a considerable journey awaiting. I hear there are two more Anne books to come. Bring them on Posie! (What a great name for a writer of this genre!!!)

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Summary: A great read for fans of historical fiction!
Review: The Innocent is a very good book for persons who enjoy English historical fiction. The author weaves together an enchanting story of a young woman, a young king, mysticism, and the influence of time-period politics and characters. Highly recommended!

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Summary: Pretty clothes and how to remove them...
Review: This is a lackluster bodice-ripper (literally, in at least two instances) with a heroine who's a confusing (and unconvincing) combination of lust and piety. The 15th-century familial saga of the usurping Yorkists is the flat backdrop to a conventional tale of a virtuous and lovely young serving-woman who discovers -- shockingly! -- that she is really of noble birth. But how will this affect her sex life? Many loving descriptions of velvet gowns and some brief graphic coupling.

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Summary: Brilliant Saga
Review: This is a truly sensational read that will transport the reader into the high drama of Edward 1V's 15th century England as seen through the eyes of Anne, a young, beautiful peasant girl.

Anne survives and flourishes despite powerful political forces who killed her mother. At fifteen, she travels to London and finds work for a wealthy merchant. Word spreads of her remarkable talents with healing and medicines. She is summoned to the palace to attend the fragile young queen. In this lonely and unfamiliar world of the palace the stirringly erotic and powerful journey swings into high gear and Anne finds herself entangled in a passionate love affair with Edward, the king.

The Innocent has it all! Definitely one for the shelves at home. The author's research into the 15th century is authoritative and convincing. This book certianly leaves you craving for the next two books in the series.