Rating: Summary: VERY IMPRESSIVE !!!!!! Review: "The Lion in Glory" is a compelling romance, extremely exciting and interesting, with an excellent plot. I loved it but, in my opinion, this book could be even better if the relationship between Jamie and Christina wasn't so aggressive - the argue and torment each other a lot, and then have sex. I usually dislike that kind of romance but, exceptionally, I loved this one because it is really good, so I tried to comprehend and forgive Jamie - he was a warrior and a good hero after all.
I highly recommend this book, it isn't a sweet romance but it is a very impressive one.
Actually, I've read a copy in portuguese.
Rating: Summary: Not her best work Review: Generally speaking, Shannon Drake is one of my favorite authors. One where - if I see her name on a book, it is an automatic purchase. Her historical research for the background is excellent, and her characters and storylines, normally engaging. Mostly, her books are a Good Read. This one just didn't seem to measure up to her previous efforts. It is a follow-up book to Knight Triumphant, telling the story of the Jamie Graham a cousin mentioned in that story. I found myself skip-reading large sections where she got way too wordy and involved in details that did nothing to advance the story. It seemed like she was trying to stretch out the story to make the book longer (500 pages or bust!) Parts of the dialog between the main characters, I had to re-read trying to figure out what they were really trying to say because the dialog got lost in between the wandering character musings. Where, normally, we would have been made sympathetic to the heroine/hero - or at least made to understand their point of view; the heroine, Christina, was too self-absorbed and the hero, Jamie, did nothing but be irrationally angry for the length of the book. Even the bedroom scenes fell short of interesting. Don't let this review keep you from enjoying her other books. Knight of Fire and Blue Heaven Black Knight (just to name a couple) are both good books - and her vampire series is outstanding. I highly recommend them. But this one needs editing - and shortening.
Rating: Summary: LOVED IT!!!!! Review: GREAT BOOK... WILL HAVE YOU'R HEART RACING IN NO TIME...
SHANNON DRAKE DOES IT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!
Rating: Summary: WONDERFUL, GREAT ENTERTAINMENT!!! Review: I loved this book! I think maybe I must of have read a different book then the first reviewer but this book is great! I love Shannon Drake and have read all the previous books in this series about the Grahams. To be honest, this story is not a disappointment. In all fairness to the first reviewer, she did state this was her first Shannon Drake book; therefore, she has not read the previous ones. Go back to the begining "Come The Morning" and read the rest in order, "Conquer The Night, Seize The Dawn, and Knight Triumphant." I highly recommended this book as either part of the series or even as a stand alone.
Rating: Summary: WONDERFUL, GREAT ENTERTAINMENT!!! Review: I loved this book! I think maybe I must of have read a different book then the first reviewer but this book is great! I love Shannon Drake and have read all the previous books in this series about the Grahams. To be honest, this story is not a disappointment. In all fairness to the first reviewer, she did state this was her first Shannon Drake book; therefore, she has not read the previous ones. Go back to the begining "Come The Morning" and read the rest in order, "Conquer The Night, Seize The Dawn, and Knight Triumphant." I highly recommended this book as either part of the series or even as a stand alone.
Rating: Summary: lion review Review: I thought it was an excellent sequel in the Graham family.
Rating: Summary: A good read. Review: I thought this was a worthy read, and Drake is an adept writer. Her strength here lies in her story and less in her characters. I was fascinated in the story line of Jamie and his allegiance to Robert the Bruce. I admired Christina, thought she was a great heroine, also.My problem then? I would have to say the ending. (Please don't read if you don't want a spoiler!) I was captivated throughout the WHOLE book and was up til 2am reading...it's just the ending... (after that great final battle.) She's expecting, they are married and emotions are finally on the table...and i thought it was just so flat. I feel like Drake just sort of ran out of room or steam with the ending. I didn't close the book thinking these two were madly in love (which, let's be honest, is why most of us read these books!) I thought Jaime's former wife haunted him and wasn't explored enough, and I don't think there was the required closer that I (personally) was looking for. Honestly, just my humble opinion! I love her writing and will gladly read her other books. I was just a wee bit disappointed.
Rating: Summary: delightful interpretive historical romance Review: In July 1307 the mighty King Edward I died just prior to leading his Army against the upstart Scots. His son Edward the Second did not carry out his sire's wishes having to deal with civil war with his barons. The Scottish rebels led by King Robert the Bruce interprets the non-attack of Edward II as an opportunity to regain occupied land back from the English. Under the Scottish reclamation program, Jamie Graham takes Hamstead Heath, but has to deal with the chatelaine, Christina Steel who will do everything including selling herself to keep her brother Steven safe. The English monarch believes Steven allied with the seditious nobles so Christina throws her lot in with Jamie offering to become his hostage. Jamie has no use for a hostage, but the intrepid Englishwoman intrigues him as he tries to learn why she is so willing to do his bidding. As they fall in love, he wonders if she will prove traitorous, but against which side. THE LION IN GLORY is as much an interpretive historical tale as it is a medieval romance. The story line is loaded with historical tidbits and historiographic explications that paint Robert the Bruce as an incredible leader and Edward II as a hedonistic individual who does not have nearly the strength of his father or his Scottish counterpart. Sort of like Khrushchev may not have been Stalin, but without his courage there is no Gorbachav (this reviewer's explanation for the tumbling of the curtain). Still that aside, readers obtain a deep star-crossed historical romance that displays Shannon Drake's talent with the latest glorious Graham gala. Harriet Klausner
Rating: Summary: delightful interpretive historical romance Review: In July 1307 the mighty King Edward I died just prior to leading his Army against the upstart Scots. His son Edward the Second did not carry out his sire's wishes having to deal with civil war with his barons. The Scottish rebels led by King Robert the Bruce interprets the non-attack of Edward II as an opportunity to regain occupied land back from the English. Under the Scottish reclamation program, Jamie Graham takes Hamstead Heath, but has to deal with the chatelaine, Christina Steel who will do everything including selling herself to keep her brother Steven safe. The English monarch believes Steven allied with the seditious nobles so Christina throws her lot in with Jamie offering to become his hostage. Jamie has no use for a hostage, but the intrepid Englishwoman intrigues him as he tries to learn why she is so willing to do his bidding. As they fall in love, he wonders if she will prove traitorous, but against which side. THE LION IN GLORY is as much an interpretive historical tale as it is a medieval romance. The story line is loaded with historical tidbits and historiographic explications that paint Robert the Bruce as an incredible leader and Edward II as a hedonistic individual who does not have nearly the strength of his father or his Scottish counterpart. Sort of like Khrushchev may not have been Stalin, but without his courage there is no Gorbachav (this reviewer's explanation for the tumbling of the curtain). Still that aside, readers obtain a deep star-crossed historical romance that displays Shannon Drake's talent with the latest glorious Graham gala. Harriet Klausner
Rating: Summary: lion review Review: This is a historical "romance" (I use that word lightly) taking place in the early 1300's, at the time of Robert the Bruce's rule. (Think: Braveheart.) Admittedly, that is what drew me to purchase the book, the time period, and that was the only thing that kept me reading... I am extremely interested in Scotland during the early 14th century. It is the story of a knight, Jamie Graham, seizing Lady Christina's manor (she's English) and taking her hostage. Not an original storyline, but one that usually isn't too bad. However.. this is a 519 page book, and it could EASILY have been under 300 pages. The characters, in this novel, are not done well. You as the reader do not feel sympathetic towards their plight. I personally, felt nothing. Usually when I read, I become a PART of the story, and this one, simply said, wasn't good enough to catch my interest. Also, I noticed.. the author doesn't really write much about the characters' thoughts.. she just expresses them through dialouge, most of which isn't very catching. I skimmed through the love scenes and many of the action scenes, as well. There was little or no romance in the book, since I didn't like Jamie, and I certainly didn't like Christina. I don't recommend this book to anyone.. and I don't recommend Shannon Drake, either. This was my first and LAST Shannon Drake novel, and I'm sorry I spent the money.
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