The Dragon and the Jewel

Rating:
Summary: favorite by V Henley, second favorite romance EVER
Review: I received this book as a gift from a college roommate and I have read it over and over. It is one of my all-time favorites. And since I read this first Henley book, I have built a collection of about 11 of her novels. Simon de Montfort is my dream hero, and the most romantic leading man ever. He sees what he wants and he takes it!
My only warning is this, if you love Simon and Eleanor, DON'T read THE MARRIAGE PRIZE. They are here as an older couple and it is heartbreaking. I also highly recommend DREAM LOVER by V. Henley. There is a little bit of violence but if you love Simon de Montfort, you will also love Sean O'toole.
Nobody writes romances as well as Virginia Henley.

Rating:
Summary: I would like to thank the readers for their generous praise.
Review: I was absolutely thrilled to read the reviews posted by readers of THE DRAGON AND THE JEWEL. I am currently writing another medieval that tells the history of what happened where this books leaves off. Tentatively titled THE POWER AND THE GLORY.

Rating:
Summary: Sadly disappointed
Review: I've been an avid Sci-fi/Fantasy reader for a long time. I'm one of those people who usually wouldn't go near the Romance aisle of the bookstore, but this book was on a countertop display. I made an impulse purchase, and now regret the waste of my (money). I found that despite her attempt at a strong, roguish leading man, the author ended up with the embodiment of why we needed the feminist movement. I found his behavior disgusting. I also disliked Eleanor intensely. Yes, I realize that she was royalty and spoiled etc., but after about 50 pages filled with whining and pouting, I just had to go talk with someone mildly interesting so I didn't go nuts. If this is a romance book, then apparently it isn't the genre for me.

Rating:
Summary: Historical Romance, indeed.
Review: PLANTAGENET TRILOGY in order: THE FALCON AND THE FLOWER........ THE DRAGON AND THE JEWEL....... THE MARRIAGE PRIZE

IN addition to the synopsis above:

The one thing that bothered me most about this book is.... it took awhile for Simon and Eleanor's story to initiate. I found the first part quite tedious and a bit depressing. Tedious: 'cuz I think the story of Eleanor's first marriage could have been shortened. The more I read about Will Marshall and his attributes, the more I prefer him to be the hero of this book. Depressing: 'cuz I've formed a distinct liking towards Will Marshall in the first book, The Falcon and The Flower. He was a very honorable man. Capable of lifetime of love, loyalty and faithfulness. I was impressed by his character that I wanted more for him other than just a short-live life & happiness. I also didn't particularly favor his marriage to Princess Eleanor mainly because of their age difference. I really wished he married someone of his age and had found lasting love and happiness... However, as I was thinking, perhaps Will Marshall isn't a fictional character afterall. Sad as it may be, Will Marshall and his faith might even be somewhat true in HISTORY, that Virginia Henley have no choice but to write it as it is. I will definitely do some research about this matter as it has deeply piqued my curiosity. Anyway, as the story progressed, I begun to gain my good mood back. I enjoyed Simon and Eleanor's character and love story. I love the way Simon courted Eleanor. His playfullness, gentleness and his attitude towards her. He is so large, a mighty war-lord while she's so tiny. And yet Simon still manages to be very patient and loving towards Eleanor. Awww~! As for the Princess, well... I wasn't disturbed by her proud bearing, her spoiledness, her vanity or her extravagant ways. She is a PLANTAGENET PRINCESS, afterall. What do you expect? In my opinion, It would have been unbelievable and unrealistic for her to be otherwise. I admired her regal bearing as well as her love for Simon. Their love for each other was so strong, so convincing and oh so deep, that it scares me to read about them in the next book, THE MARRIAGE PRIZE, since I already know by historical facts what faith awaits Simon De Monfort. Ugh!

I have always been intrigued by the PLANTAGENETS. I've read historical facts about them in the past yet reading their history in this book mixed with romance made it more interesting for me. The historical facts captured me while the romance heightened it. I admired the way Virginia Henley corporated this trilogy. She developed her characters to the fullest, pulling you into their thoughts, making you understand them while instilling FACTS at the same time. She also leave small degrees to allow readers to form their own judgement about her characters, esp. those that are non-fictional. I don't know how she does that but I find it rather fascinating. I've read only 4 of Virginia Henley works but so far, I've notice her books are at least 70% filled of educational historical facts, which is blended uniquely with her own ideas of romantic interlude. I say that's quite impressive, don't u think? Read Virginia Henley's PLANTAGENET TRILOGY. It is educational yet entertaining and heart soaring. This is what HISTORICAL ROMANCE is all about.

Rating:
Summary: Historical Romance, indeed.
Review: PLANTAGENET TRILOGY in order: THE FALCON AND THE FLOWER........ THE DRAGON AND THE JEWEL....... THE MARRIAGE PRIZE

IN addition to the synopsis above:

The one thing that bothered me most about this book is.... it took awhile for Simon and Eleanor's story to initiate. I found the first part quite tedious and a bit depressing. Tedious: 'cuz I think the story of Eleanor's first marriage could have been shortened. The more I read about Will Marshall and his attributes, the more I prefer him to be the hero of this book. Depressing: 'cuz I've formed a distinct liking towards Will Marshall in the first book, The Falcon and The Flower. He was a very honorable man. Capable of lifetime of love, loyalty and faithfulness. I was impressed by his character that I wanted more for him other than just a short-live life & happiness. I also didn't particularly favor his marriage to Princess Eleanor mainly because of their age difference. I really wished he married someone of his age and had found lasting love and happiness... However, as I was thinking, perhaps Will Marshall isn't a fictional character afterall. Sad as it may be, Will Marshall and his faith might even be somewhat true in HISTORY, that Virginia Henley have no choice but to write it as it is. I will definitely do some research about this matter as it has deeply piqued my curiosity. Anyway, as the story progressed, I begun to gain my good mood back. I enjoyed Simon and Eleanor's character and love story. I love the way Simon courted Eleanor. His playfullness, gentleness and his attitude towards her. He is so large, a mighty war-lord while she's so tiny. And yet Simon still manages to be very patient and loving towards Eleanor. Awww~! As for the Princess, well... I wasn't disturbed by her proud bearing, her spoiledness, her vanity or her extravagant ways. She is a PLANTAGENET PRINCESS, afterall. What do you expect? In my opinion, It would have been unbelievable and unrealistic for her to be otherwise. I admired her regal bearing as well as her love for Simon. Their love for each other was so strong, so convincing and oh so deep, that it scares me to read about them in the next book, THE MARRIAGE PRIZE, since I already know by historical facts what faith awaits Simon De Monfort. Ugh!

I have always been intrigued by the PLANTAGENETS. I've read historical facts about them in the past yet reading their history in this book mixed with romance made it more interesting for me. The historical facts captured me while the romance heightened it. I admired the way Virginia Henley corporated this trilogy. She developed her characters to the fullest, pulling you into their thoughts, making you understand them while instilling FACTS at the same time. She also leave small degrees to allow readers to form their own judgement about her characters, esp. those that are non-fictional. I don't know how she does that but I find it rather fascinating. I've read only 4 of Virginia Henley works but so far, I've notice her books are at least 70% filled of educational historical facts, which is blended uniquely with her own ideas of romantic interlude. I say that's quite impressive, don't u think? Read Virginia Henley's PLANTAGENET TRILOGY. It is educational yet entertaining and heart soaring. This is what HISTORICAL ROMANCE is all about.

Rating:
Summary: Still Looking For Something As Good As "A Year And A Day"
Review: Sometimes you meet two characters in a book that do not seem to be in love--despite the author's attempts. Rather, they seem to be two characters who NEED COUNSELING! The characters in this book are it. The "heroine" was whiny, obnoxious, paranoid and rude. But, the Hero was great most of the time. If you want to read a good book, read Henley's "A Year And A Day." I loved that book! I regret that I have not found another Henley novel like it.

Rating:
Summary: Not One of Her Better Ones
Review: The Dragon and The Jewel was not, when compared to her other work, one of her better ones. The fact alone that Eleanor was previously married to someone she loved and no longer untouched was enough to dampen my enthusiasm. Eleanor did not deserve Simon she didn't seem to connect to him and his feelings. The usual teasing and banter that makes us laugh out loud, much to our embarassment, was lacking in this one. However, it was still a worthwhile read simply for the fact that Henley wrote it. Her story telling is wonderful and it does transport you back in time. I would love a book on Rickard and Michael De Burgh's life.

Rating:
Summary: Save some time- don't bother reading the second half.
Review: The story of the child bride blooming into the beautiful and intelligent wife of William was interesting, but her transformation into the willful, jealous and shallow Countess of Leicester is near painful. Some of her antics are reminiscent of a bad "I Love Lucy" episode. Other characters are very one dimensional and uninteresting.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty Good!
Review: The story was kinda boring in the first part cuz all it talked about was her first husband. But things started to pick up during the second part and turned out pretty good.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating and engrossing
Review: This book is a well researched historical fiction. The characters come to life, and after reading this book, you will run to the bookstore to find everything you can written by Virginia Henley