Rating: 
Summary: Romance in the Dark Ages
Review: Lady Brigette's brother Quinton has been killed in war. Her aunt Druoda is now plotting to take over Brigette's home and wants to be rid of her. In the meantime, she treats her as a servant and attempts to break her thru hard labor and abuse. But Brigette's brother is very much alive. Rowland of Montville suffered thru an abusive childhood and has grown into a hardened warrior. When Quinton is wounded saving his life, Rowland agrees to pay the debt by going to Quinton's home to inform his family that he is alive and soon will be coming home. But Druoda lies to him, convincing him that the lovely Brigette is a lowly servant and will be killed unless Rowland takes her as his own. At first, Rowland is angry for being put into such a position. When Brigette tries to tell him the truth, he refuses to believe her and takes her home with him to make her his servant. Soon doubt begins to creep into Rowland's mind. What if Brigette is speaking the truth? He would have to let her go and he can't for Brigette is the one person who could heal his pain. This book is a serious story of pain, betrayal, and healing. As an earlier book of Lindsey's it doesn't have the humor that we have come to know her for. Instead we find a dark, brooding hero and a tormented heroine. Each carrying tremendous baggage, but eventually working beyond that to accept love from each other. One of my favorites!
Rating: 
Summary: BARBARIC AND VIOLENT!
Review: The only reason I am giving this book two stars is because I love Johanna Lindsey! I bought this book several years ago, and I decided to read it again. I guess it really has been a awhile since I read this book because I was appalled by the way Brigitte is abused in this book-first by her step-aunt, then by Rowland! How could Brigitte possibly fall in love with this guy? He is violent and crass. Even though Johanna explains his world in the beginning, I could not fall in love with him like I did a lot of the other JL heroes. If someone had beat me like that, I would have run away, too. Too bad Rowland was such a batterer because I can usually find something romantic in any character. This book is not what I would want to read as a prolific romance reader. All can think about is wishing that they had battered women's shelters during this barbaric period in history! Sorry, Johanna! I'm just glad this is one of your earlier works, and your heros have improved dramatically over the years. Don't ever write about a man (no, beast) like Roland ever again!
Rating: 
Summary: Good idea, Bad development
Review: The overall idea for this book was a good one. But the way the characters are developed leaves much to be desired. Brigitte comes across as a shallow naive little girl who is such a wimp it's hard to read her "supossed" attemps at bravery. As for Rowland, he is coarse and rude and is forever so cruel to her. The book itself is slow paced and when finaly things start to happen the book is over. I do not recomend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Loved the plot!
Review: The plot of this story was amazing and for that reason I just couldn't put this book down. As usual it was riddled with misunderstandings... the huge one being her status as a lady... Also many surprises were included just when you would least expect them. One in particular was very heartwarming and wonderful to read. Brigitte was a true lady and full of strength... she was a perfect match to Rowland who struggled throughout the novel with his feelings for her and confusion over who she really was. Another thing I loved was the constant action. Never a boring moment and you could just feel how the characters felt as they fell in love. The way Brigette tenderly cared for him and accepted his faults was so sweet. And he tried so hard to be gentle with her even though he had never known kindess himself. It's an awesome read. Just what you would expect from Johanna Lindsey.
Rating:
Summary: Loved the plot!
Review: The plot of this story was amazing and for that reason I just couldn't put this book down. As usual it was riddled with misunderstandings... the huge one being her status as a lady... Also many surprises were included just when you would least expect them. One in particular was very heartwarming and wonderful to read. Brigitte was a true lady and full of strength... she was a perfect match to Rowland who struggled throughout the novel with his feelings for her and confusion over who she really was. Another thing I loved was the constant action. Never a boring moment and you could just feel how the characters felt as they fell in love. The way Brigette tenderly cared for him and accepted his faults was so sweet. And he tried so hard to be gentle with her even though he had never known kindess himself. It's an awesome read. Just what you would expect from Johanna Lindsey.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable Read
Review: This had a really good storyline and I enjoyed the Romance.
Rating:
Summary: Very good for a romantic medieval read!
Review: This is not my favorite time period but I do love Johanna Lindsey books and this was no exception. The characters were well developed and you truly felt the intense connection between the two characters. The misunderstandings between them were conceivable and not contrived and totally understandable. I loved Rowland as the hero - he had been raised under such tough conditions but it had not taken the very core of his good sole away from him. Several of the surprises at the end were touching effects to a beautiful love story!
Rating:
Summary: Very Good
Review: This story has an intertaining plot. It held my interest. It was a quick read. Enjoyable! McNaught is a depenable author, she has many excellent reads. I gave this one four stars instead of five because the sex is not as steamy as it is in other of McNaught's books that I have read.
Rating: 
Summary: Could've been better...
Review: This was a good romance, but like most of JL's earlier novels, the hero (Rowland) is just too mean at times. I hate it when the hero beats the girl he loves. Otherwise, it was good. Brigitte was very likable, and the time period and French setting were unique.
Rating:
Summary: Lusty Medieval Tale
Review: This was one of the first romance novels I read and it greatly influenced my reading choices. See, it was one of those books that made me understand romance writing could be really interesting and fun. I had read hundreds of books since I first read So Speaks the Heart and could still remember most of the story line. There are not many books that can stand that test of time. Rowland Of Montville is the bastard son of rather mean warlord. He is called home after six years in France because there is a threat to his father's fortress and Rowland is one very talented warrior. He is surprised at his father's request for him to return home because he thought it understood by both his father and himself that he would never return to Montville. But after listening to a convincing argument of the friend sent to retrieve him, Rowland begins the journey back home. Bridgette de Louroux is the daughter of French nobleman who has died and left her in her brother's care. Her brother is now reported dead and since Bridgette is only seventeen, a really evil aunt steps in and takes over the estate in the unauthorized role of Bridgette's guardian. The trials she suffers under this awful aunt are too many to swallow with any measure of belief - but hey - it's a great story otherwise. The aunt has forced Bridgette into the servants' quarters, taken away anything of value, and Bridgette works alongside the other servants. She is being kept for an advantageous marriage that the wicked aunt will arrange and benefit from financially. And sure enough - the chosen future groom is all a woman could abhor in a man. During all of this, Rowland is traveling through France, on his way home, blissfully unaware of what awaits him when he stops at Bridgette's home. He is there to deliver a message that her brother is alive and will come home when he recovers from a wound suffered in a fight. He is to deliver this message to the fallen man's sister and as Rowland introduces himself and the purpose of his visit, the aunt assumes Bridgette's identity. Through many more convoluted actions of the aunt, Bridgette ends up in Rowland's room that night accidentally and it is assumed by all that he has taken her virginity during the night. In the furor of Bridgette's supposed loss, the wicked, evil aunt gives her to Rowland - insists he take her as his servant - and polishes up some really big lies to convince him to finally carry Bridgette away from her homeland forever. Since the aunt fears her nephew's reaction to his sister's horrible treatment upon his ultimate return, she forces Rowland to promise that Bridgette will never come back to this part of France again. Rowland, embarrassed by apparently taking an innocent (he doesn't remember doing so), promises that he will keep her with him, as his servant, far away as requested. Of course, Rowland has no idea Bridgette is a nobleman's daughter. The tales he has been told about her repulse him and he unwillingly continues home to Montville - now with Bridgette in tow as his servant. Now I know this all sounds a little overdramatic. Actually it is much, much more dramatic than I have described. But it finally makes an excellent platform from which a great romance adventure springs. It doesn't take long for Rowland to see beyond Bridgette's dirty and disheveled appearance and discover a real beauty. It also becomes increasingly difficult to believe EVERYTHING the wicked aunt has said about her but he believes it nonetheless. He ignores Bridgette's claims to her nobility and her continued denial that she is a servant. Bridgette is pretty feisty as she attempts to get Rowland to understand who she really is. She finally gives up and begins to discover the man who she now finds she is attracted to as well. This is one of those juicy romance novels that is about romance! That is the main purpose of the entire book and Rowland and Bridgette have a lot of quality time to develop a relationship. That relationship is often on shaky ground and has a lot of highs and lows. The sensual scenes are few and rate about a 3.5 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines). However, that doesn't indicate a lack of sexual chemistry at all. Lindsey, in her earlier books, had the ability to create this chemistry that lasts the entire book without having to get too descriptive. I have reread several of Lindsey's novels lately and have enjoyed each of them as much or more the second time around. If you have not read some of Lindsey's earlier books from the 1980s (beware - her books are often published later without reference to their original publication dates), I suggest that you try one. This book was originally published in 1983. They are easy to find on the Internet and are worth your while. Since she has also written a few during this timeframe that are probably not her best - I recommend - in addition to this book - the following Lindsey books for your consideration: Fires of Winter, Prisoner of My Desire, Hearts Aflame, and You Belong to Me.
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