The Forest Lord

Rating:
Summary: pleasant Regency romantic fantasy
Review: In England, the Earl of Bradwell, Cyrus Fleming breaks the pact his ancestors have had with the Fane by trespassing into the magical fairy forest. For punishment, the Forest Lord Hern demands that Cyrus hand over his beautiful teenage daughter Eden so he can sire an heir. Cyrus agrees, but demands that Hern appears as a mortal and courts Eden. Not long afterward Cornelius Fleming arrives, courts Eden and makes love to her, which leaves her pregnant. He plans to marry her, but she learns the truth about his heritage. She flees, marries someone else, while he goes into a deep sleep after learning that their child died.

Six years later and Hern awakens to learn that Eden has returned home and their son lives. Hern plans to abduct the lad he thought was dead from the widow who he feels betrayed him twice. Masquerading as a mortal servant, Hern soon realizes his foe did not know their child lived until she came home. He also finds he wants to put the lost smile back on Eden's face, but years of spousal abuse and betrayal by her father and Cornelius leaves her filled with distrust.

THE FOREST LORD is a pleasant Regency romantic fantasy that reads more like a second chance at love between two distrusting souls than a star crossed specie reverie. The audience will appreciate the lead characters, especially Hern, who occasionally displays otherworldly talents. Readers will desire more Fane tales that contain a wee bit more fairy dust especially a two decade into the future sequel starring the son Donal.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Kinard tries something a bit different
Review: Kinard combines fantasy romance with a little Regency style, and has produced a story about Hern, the Forest Lord, one of the Fane who, in order to return home, must produce a human-fairy offspring with a human woman. Eden Fleming is the woman he chooses, as her father has broken the generations-long trust between the Forest Lord and the Fleming family. He blackmails Eden's father, and poses as a human to seduce her. At the almost last moment, Eden discovers the deception. She rejects 'Cornelius' and flees to a new life in London. Six years later, Eden is back at her hereditary home, Hartsmere. Her husband has recently died leaving her in reasonably dire straits. She and her aunt, each with their own agendas, set up house and Eden starts trying to set her house in order. Meanwhile the Forest Lord has been asleep for 6 years, thoroughly disgusted with the Flemings and humankind in general. He is woken and told Eden is back, whereupon he determines to make her pay for his losing his chance at returning home, and meets her as 'Hartley' - a man of the 'servant' class who seemingly shows Eden nothing but contempt. But even the supernatural cannot escape from their fate, and it would seem he and Eden have more between them than bad feeling - not the least being a six year old boy. The half human son who is his way home...

This is a well constructed and well written story, and I liked the use of the natural world reflecting how things are between Hartley and Eden. However, neither of the central characters were particularly attractive to me - Eden with her short sightedness, her complete self involvement and her always being aware of class to the nth degree. Hartley/Conelius/The Forest Lord is little better, as the Fane cannot love and the only emotions he has at first are hate, a drive to get home, and a calculated manipulation of the Flemings. I became involved in the story mainly because of Donal, their son, but I'm not sure this is enough to carry the book for me. Also, Eden's immediate attachment is unconvincing, given what we know of her character. Ultimately it wasn't enough for me, however the writing was strong and well thought out. If you don't have my problem with the central characters, you'll enjoy this blend of fantasy, and historical romance.

Rating:
Summary: A FABULOUS Read!
Review: Once upon a time, there was a forest that lay on the estates of the Flemings. Generations had sworn an oath to protect the forest and its inhabitants. For this, the guardian, a powerful Fairie or Fae, will grant them wealth and prosperity. So long as the forest and the animals that dwell within remain untouched.

Cyrus Fleming, the Earl of Bradwell, did not believe this legend. He shoots at a stag, following it deeper into the forest. Suddenly, he is face to face with the guardian. An imposing figure that makes him shiver in fear.

In exchange for his life, Cyris must give the Forest Lord his daughter, Eden.

He has no choice but to agree. But there is a stipulation. The Forest Lord must win Eden's love. He agrees. Donning the disguise as a mortal man, he courts her as Cornelius Fleming. With gentleness, he wins her heart. After a night of passion, Eden discovers with whom she has given her heart to. Frightened, she runs away unaware that she is carrying his child.

For thousands of years, the Forest Lord had stood watch making sure that the ravages of mankind do not touch the forest. After endless lonliness, he longs to return to his beloved land. Yet, he cannot. The Queen of the Fairie has forbidden him entrance until he provides his people with a child needed to save his race from extinction.

Cyrus begs the Forest Lord to stay away from Eden for she is stricken with fear and shock. He agrees only until the child is born. Nine months later, he confronts Cyrus who tells him that the child has died.

Yet, the child hasn't died and thus begins the Forest Lord's quest for vengeance.

Oh, I LOVED this story. It was different and immediately snared my attention from the very first page. I loved the Forest Lord. He was very powerful, bent on revenge yet could not prevent feelings for Eden to resurface.

Eden was my kind of heroine. She was strong yet had such a gentleness about her. She was easy to identify with and a joy to read about.

BRAVO to Ms. Krinard. The Forest Lord is an outstand lovestory and I pray she continues onward in this vein.

Rating:
Summary: A FABULOUS Read!
Review: Once upon a time, there was a forest that lay on the estates of the Flemings. Generations had sworn an oath to protect the forest and its inhabitants. For this, the guardian, a powerful Fairie or Fae, will grant them wealth and prosperity. So long as the forest and the animals that dwell within remain untouched.

Cyrus Fleming, the Earl of Bradwell, did not believe this legend. He shoots at a stag, following it deeper into the forest. Suddenly, he is face to face with the guardian. An imposing figure that makes him shiver in fear.

In exchange for his life, Cyris must give the Forest Lord his daughter, Eden.

He has no choice but to agree. But there is a stipulation. The Forest Lord must win Eden's love. He agrees. Donning the disguise as a mortal man, he courts her as Cornelius Fleming. With gentleness, he wins her heart. After a night of passion, Eden discovers with whom she has given her heart to. Frightened, she runs away unaware that she is carrying his child.

For thousands of years, the Forest Lord had stood watch making sure that the ravages of mankind do not touch the forest. After endless lonliness, he longs to return to his beloved land. Yet, he cannot. The Queen of the Fairie has forbidden him entrance until he provides his people with a child needed to save his race from extinction.

Cyrus begs the Forest Lord to stay away from Eden for she is stricken with fear and shock. He agrees only until the child is born. Nine months later, he confronts Cyrus who tells him that the child has died.

Yet, the child hasn't died and thus begins the Forest Lord's quest for vengeance.

Oh, I LOVED this story. It was different and immediately snared my attention from the very first page. I loved the Forest Lord. He was very powerful, bent on revenge yet could not prevent feelings for Eden to resurface.

Eden was my kind of heroine. She was strong yet had such a gentleness about her. She was easy to identify with and a joy to read about.

BRAVO to Ms. Krinard. The Forest Lord is an outstand lovestory and I pray she continues onward in this vein.

Rating:
Summary: Winner of the WordWeaving Award for Excellence
Review: One of the last of Fane, the Forest Lord cannot enter Tir-na-nog until he returns with an heir of his own making. For centuries he has guarded Hartsmere, honoring a long forgotten pact. Then one day Cyrus Fleming, the Earl of Bradwell, enters Hartsmere in search of prey. The Forest Lord threatens to take the bounty and fortune the Flemings have enjoyed unless Cyrus forfeits his daughter. In return, the Forest Lord agrees to wed his daughter for the time a child grows in her body, and then plans to depart for Tir-na-nog with the child. Cyrus agrees, but adds the condition that the Forest Lord must win his daughter's love.

Six months later and desperately in love, Eden elopes with the man she believes to be her cousin Cornelius Fleming. They spend the night together in glorious intimacy, planning to wed the next day. Then Eden overhears a dreadful fight between Cornelius and her father, and she learns that Cornelius does not love her. Worse, she enters the room, and the man that she plans to wed transforms into a monster. Later, she gives birth to a child she believes to have died. Eden then assumes her place in London society in an arranged marriage. Then six years after Cornelius disappeared, Eden returns to Hartsmere a widow, having learned on her husband's deathbed that her child survives.

Fans who love the magic and mystery of Susan Krinard's shape shifter/werewolf romances will delight in this new series of shape shifters who originate in the forests of Ireland. Embodying the timeless theme of Beauty and the Beast, THE FOREST LORD comes alive with truly amazing characterizations. The author's respect for pagan mythology brings the tale a dazzling strength, with endearing, flawed characters that grow and develop in profound ways. Further, Krinard's vivacious style lends the tale a sense of believability and immediacy that will hold readers glued to its pages. As a matter of fact, THE FOREST LORD will appeal to far more than just romance readers. After only reading and describing the first fifty pages to my husband, I accidentally left the book at home. My husband who loves pagan mythology unexpectedly picked it up based on my description, and when I returned home he demanded that I finish it quickly because he was anxious to finish the story himself! A fabulous read that must be added to the keeper shelf, THE FOREST LORD comes very highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Truly Wonderful! I want more!
Review: Susan Krinard had done it again! Only this time she has taken a detour from her much-beloved "Werewolf" theme and delved into the world of "Faerie". I was browsing the new-releases table in Borders and The Forest Lord caught my eye right away. A new book from Susan Krinard!? I snatched it up immediately, and needless to say, I wasn't disappointed! This story is enchanting, gripping, and truly magical. I simply could not put it down, and read the entire book in one sitting.

Six years ago, Eden Fleming made the horrifying discovery that the man she was about to marry was not human. He was a Fane, a Faerie creature of the forest, who had made a made a deal with her father and used her to sire a half-human child. The child was his only hope of leaving the mortal world to return to his home of Tir-na-nog. But upon learning of his deception, Eden fled and the Forest Lord fell into a deep sleep. Now, five years later, she has returned and he has vowed to have his revenge on the woman who shunned him, and to steal back the child that he believed to be dead. Cloaked in magic, he assumes the identity of a servant named Hartley Shaw, and begins to set his plan in motion. But as he spends more time with Eden and their son, he realizes that things have changed, and we are left with just one question. Is this creature of the Faerie world capable of feeling the one emotion that they are supposedly devoid of ... Love?

The Forest Lord is a wonderfully heart-warming novel from a truly gifted writer of Fantasy-Romance. If you have read any of Ms. Krinard's novels you will not be surprised to find that this one is right on par with her previous ones. And if you haven't, then this is an excellent place to start! It will hook you from the beginning, and you will find yourself furiously turning the pages and holding your breath in anticipation as the story takes a very tense and unexpected twist towards the end! Ms. Krinard, you have delighted me with this wonderful tale, and I hope we will be seeing more very soon! If I could give it ten stars I would, but sadly, Amazon only allows five. *sigh* So be it. Enjoy!!

Rating:
Summary: Ms. Krinard is truly in a class of her own
Review: Susan Krinard is one of the most understated paranormal romance author with the likes of popular Christine Feehan in similar genre. Her last effort Secret of the Wolf is a riveting tale of lycanthropes in hypnotic realms and this time round, she fuses beautifully Irish mythic forest lords into her Regency.

Sic years ago, Lady Eden Fleming fleds marriage to cousin Cornelius Fleming after overhearing the conversation with her father and him. He is in fact Hern - The Forest Lord who has struck a bargain with her father for the custody of her coming child, acting upon orders from the Queen to sire a half-human child to extend their weakening bloodline. Lord Bradwell has unfortunately injured a stag in a hunting game where it was a manifestation of Hern and is coerced to his biddings.

Eden's present husband Winstowe is dead and reveals to her that her son is actually alive. She travels back to Hartsmere with her manipulative aunt Claire and meets an unlikely savior of her son Donal. The enigmatic Hartley Shaw is actually Hern in disguise after he learns that Donal is alive. He plans to snatch his son back but never did he expect his attraction to Eden has deepened. A chance of love materializes but Claire is determined to protect Eden at all cost including destroying the forest lord with the cursed iron arrows.

The Forest Lord sees Ms. Krinard at the peak of characterization and romance crafting through Eden's strength and transformation from a betrayed woman to a courageous mother with much love and a passionate lover. Hern is no standard alpha male either; he too is confused by familial ties and the mutations of love conflicting with his obligations. Even the villain isn't stereotypical fare. Claire's protection for Eden stems from a personal tragedy which spurred her hatred for Hern.

It is a great romance which both main protagonists mature and sacrifice; it is a story of great intrigue and human drama with the treachery of Claire. Yet it is also a fairy-tale with the magical realms of Irish folklore but carries resonant ecological message at Ms. Krinard's most imaginative spin. The tale is thus complexed and textured to defy categorization. It is unique just like her plot and her mastery of descriptions and atmosphere. She is truly, in a class of her own with the enchanting Forest Lord.

Rating:
Summary: Original and moving
Review: Susan Krinard successfully moves away from her werewolf stories to introduce us to The Forest Lord, the lord of the woods, who has been exiled from his people until he sires a half-human child to bring to his people. The beginning is reminiscent of Beauty in the Beast-- after breaking a centuries old family pact with the Forest Lord not to hunt in his forest, the earl of Bradwell agrees to let the Forest Lord marry his daughter in exchange for his freedom. His daughter, Eden, doesn't know that the she married is the Forest Lord, and when she finds she freaks and runs away-- pregnant. When she is told her child was still-born, she returns to London, marries another man, is widowed, and returns to her father's land after six years.

The Forest Lord discovers that their child is still alive, but he believes that Eden knew all along. Conveniently, the Forest Lord, Eden, and their son all return to the earl's land at the same time. Unfortunately, they don't trust each other any longer, and many misunderstanding ensue.

This was a very compelling book because it had many original ideas, was emotionally gripping, and was well crafted. Overall, anyone who has read Krinard's werewolf stories will not be disappointed by her new direction.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Start
Review: The book was had an interesting story line, but some of the actions were predictable. The "private" scenes between the heroine and hero were pretty tame and very few. If you like a good story and almost no sex this is the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: Never read anything like this before
Review: Wow, I'm not sure how I feel about this book. I really liked the idea of the Fane and how they interact with humans. I also liked the betrayal and secret child plot-line. Hart was a very sexy hero, even with his full set of antlers! LOL I think my mixed feelings come in with the heroine. I never really warmed up to her. I also wanted to see more of the Fane magic (I must say the ending was smashing! And touching. I blew through several kleenex in the critical moments!) Overall this was different and cleverly done. It could have been sexier perhaps? I will certainly be waiting for more books about this fascinating world by Susan Krinard!