Velvet Song

Rating:
Summary: not big on violence of any kind
Review: "Velvet Song" by Ms. Jude Deveraux, was the first historical romance I read, and it suitably hooked me. I liked Raine, when he was not being too proud, and I rather admired Alyx because she did what needed to be done. Raine, I have since learned, is a much better character in the other Montgomery novels than in his own.

Ms. Deveraux writes well and captures you into the world she describes. She is one of the top 5 romance writers out there, though truth be told, the Velvet series is her best work. Her characters are human not always so perfect, and she even varies them somewhat, which is unique amongst her profession. The one problem I had with this book was that Raine hits Alyx. I know it was "a different time" and that the author probably in no way condones domestic violence, but I was uncomfortable with that aspect of the novel. Fortunately, it only happens once, and if you can get over that feeling of discomfort, it does not detract overly much from the rest of the book. It is why this book is a four of five stars instead of a five of five.

Alyx was the more likeable of the two characters, and you can truly empathize with her. She is good hearted and she is one of my all time favorite heroines. Raine is less special, but at times he also became a very strong character.

Ms. Deveraux's characters are romantic, and you are cheering for them all of the way. You also get to meet other characters who have books about them, which I really like. I highly recommend this book as well as the rest of the Velvet series. Ms. Deveraux is a pleasure to read, and she combines everything important into an extremely good romance novel.

Rating:
Summary: Another great Velvet book
Review: Although I didn't find as much true passion in this novel, I enjoyed it a great deal. The absolute romance that surrounded and enveloped the other two velvet books just wasn't as prominent in this one. But the story was still very good... I loved hearing more about Gavin and Judith and Stephen and Bronwyn.

I found Raine to be very tempermental towards Alyx which just didn't fit his personality from earlier books. He never had a bad word to say to Judith, yet with Alyx, the woman he was supposed to adore... he could be very hateful.

I took it all in stride though and found that I didn't like Raine any less... I just accepted his temprement, knowing that he was going through hard times and dealing with it the best way he knew how.

I was a bit upset at the lack of concern over not seeing his child with Alyx for some time, but he redeemed himself near the end and I felt much better about that situation.

Alyx loved Raine to the point of death... and I could relate to her need to help him even if he wouldn't help himself... no matter how angry he became. The scene with Alyx and the King was touching and very well written...

All in all, its a good book... definetely worth a read since it is a big part of the Montgomery brothers story.

Rating:
Summary: Another great Velvet book
Review: Although I didn't find as much true passion in this novel, I enjoyed it a great deal. The absolute romance that surrounded and enveloped the other two velvet books just wasn't as prominent in this one. But the story was still very good... I loved hearing more about Gavin and Judith and Stephen and Bronwyn.

I found Raine to be very tempermental towards Alyx which just didn't fit his personality from earlier books. He never had a bad word to say to Judith, yet with Alyx, the woman he was supposed to adore... he could be very hateful.

I took it all in stride though and found that I didn't like Raine any less... I just accepted his temprement, knowing that he was going through hard times and dealing with it the best way he knew how.

I was a bit upset at the lack of concern over not seeing his child with Alyx for some time, but he redeemed himself near the end and I felt much better about that situation.

Alyx loved Raine to the point of death... and I could relate to her need to help him even if he wouldn't help himself... no matter how angry he became. The scene with Alyx and the King was touching and very well written...

All in all, its a good book... definetely worth a read since it is a big part of the Montgomery brothers story.

Rating:
Summary: Very good!
Review: Although not a 5 (hey, not every book can be perfect!) this is an engrossing story. I picked this one up without reading the other "Velvet" stories - and went out and bought all three of the others based on the strength of this one. Yes, both of the main characters are flawed - Raine really has some issues in this one, you don't get too see the funny, playful guy he is in the first one (I'm 1/2 through that now). And Alyx has her issues too - but they both grow throughout the book, and by the end you know that they've come to accept their own limitations, as well as the limitations of their relationship. I loved how Alyx charmed King Henry with song, achieving what all those warmongering men couldn't do!

Rating:
Summary: Not up to par....
Review: Alyx Blackett has been forced from her home by an English Nobleman. She watched her home burn down with her father inside it and felt something die inside her. She was then branded as a witch and a high price was put on her head for capture and trial. The only way that she can save herself is to retreat to the forest to live along with other men and women who have been branded traitors by the King.

Raine Montgomery has been delcared a traitor and works hard to turn the muderers and theives in the forest into honest men. His hate for the Chatworths is strong when he learns of the suicide death of his sister Mary after she was raped by Roger Chatworth, whom the reader was introduced to in Highland Velvet. Raine's hate burns strong and he is very unlike how Deveraux introduced him in the two previous Montgomery novels.

Alyx is somewhat tiresome with her voice and bellowing. Raine gets annoying with his constant unhappiness with Alyx. This novel did not show the reader much of Raine's thoughts, which was dissapointing as it was hard not to fall in love with him in the previous two novels. I also wondered what father would stay away from his daughter for a full year after her birth when he claimed to love her mother so much.

I am going to start Velvet Angel and hope it is better than Velvet Song.

Rating:
Summary: Not up to par....
Review: Alyx Blackett has been forced from her home by an English Nobleman. She watched her home burn down with her father inside it and felt something die inside her. She was then branded as a witch and a high price was put on her head for capture and trial. The only way that she can save herself is to retreat to the forest to live along with other men and women who have been branded traitors by the King.

Raine Montgomery has been delcared a traitor and works hard to turn the muderers and theives in the forest into honest men. His hate for the Chatworths is strong when he learns of the suicide death of his sister Mary after she was raped by Roger Chatworth, whom the reader was introduced to in Highland Velvet. Raine's hate burns strong and he is very unlike how Deveraux introduced him in the two previous Montgomery novels.

Alyx is somewhat tiresome with her voice and bellowing. Raine gets annoying with his constant unhappiness with Alyx. This novel did not show the reader much of Raine's thoughts, which was dissapointing as it was hard not to fall in love with him in the previous two novels. I also wondered what father would stay away from his daughter for a full year after her birth when he claimed to love her mother so much.

I am going to start Velvet Angel and hope it is better than Velvet Song.

Rating:
Summary: Not just a little dissappointed...
Review: but hugely dissappointed! This book was just bad. I kept wishing it would end. Both main characters had such bad tempers it was rediculous. And a man who would put pride above his child isn't anyone worth loving. I didn't like it all. I've never read any of Jude's books before and now I don't plan to.

Rating:
Summary: A classic.....full of humor, wit, charm, and romance.
Review: Deveraux is the best. I love her use of humor, and her stories are incredible. There is not one romance of hers that I have not read and loved. She is a wonderful author, whose works draw us into a different world- with swordfights, time-travels, chivalry- but always with a blend of humor and the feeling of true love. Her Velvet Song is one out of a series that is the greatest. Velvet Song was not only a romance novel to read....it is the epitome of hope for women all over to find a man that is a wonderful as one of the Montgomery men.

Rating:
Summary: Velvet Song - Another Winner!
Review: I am a Jude Deveraux addict! I hated to see the Velvet series end, I could have read them forever. Ms. Deveraux is personally responsible for getting me hooked on historical romances, and I Thank her for that! Please! Give us more!

Rating:
Summary: I really enjoyed this book.
Review: I am one of those rare individuals that when I ready I can see everything in my head.

I like an author that can make me laugh until my side hurts, cause me to despise a character before I get through the first chapter, and enjoy a couple discovering each other. However, what I enjoy the most in a author is when they allow their heroines to be feminine, but not weak. Just as a strong woman needs and wants a strong man. I like to believe a strong man wants and needs a strong woman. Once I figure out exactly how many books there are to this set I plan to read everyone of them.

Could you please tell me the exact order the Montgomery Trilogy goes in? And most importantly In the Velet Song there was a reference made concerning the bult Alyx owned. Is this the same bult form THE BLACK LYON? And is the THE BLACK LYON the first book in the Montgomery trilogy.