Rating: 
Summary: Not one of Virginia Henley's best!
Review: After reading A Year and a Day (the only other V.H. book I've read) I was very disapointed at this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderfully Wicked
Review: An excellent example of the very talented Virginia Henley! This lady knows what romance readers want!!
Rating: 
Summary: This Rose Had Thorns
Review: At the heart of this story is the 'rose', otherwise known as Roseanna Castlemaine, stunningly beautiful daughter of Joanna and Neville Castlemaine but in reality, the illegitimate daughter of King Edward IV. Were it known, it would cause her life to be in danger. She has been betrothed since the age of 11 to Baron Ravenspur, who should have claimed her at the age of 15 but now, all of 17 and having never met the man, she scoffs at the idea that they will ever wed and has fallen in love with the handsome Byron FitzHugh, friend of her brother Jeffrey. Her mother Joanna has high hopes for her daughter making a good marriage, and a landless Knight, does not fit in with her plans. Roseanna hearing that her betrothed is staying at a nearby hunting lodge determines that she will go there and beg the Baron to break the betrothal. Mishaps along the way, cause her to lose her horse, get drenched in a pouring rain so that when Ravenspur's brother, Tristan, finds her he mistakes her for a peasant and decides to make a gift of her to his brother Roger, who along with his men-at-arms are all having an orgy at the hunting lodge. Ravenspur is stunned to realize that this is no peasant but his betrothed and having sworn never to marry again, initially agrees to break the betrothal but the more she provokes him he decides to go through with the marriage anyhow. Roseanne, not one to take being lied to lightly, tries all sorts of escapades to escape the impending marriage and subsequent bedding, but would her feelings of, could it be lust, whenever Ravenspur is near betray her. She can't quite understand how she could 'love' Sir Bryan, yet her body react with Ravenspur. This story was the first I've read by this author. I found it extremely rich in the historical background of King Edward IV - with references to the intrigues and betrayals of the treasonous plots during that period. The dog and cat fight romance between Ravenspur and Roseanna was delightful, although through the first half of the book, you'd like to have this vain, spoiled brat, thrown over someone's knee and spanked. It is not until she realizes the difference between infatuation and love does she come to appreciate the strong, handsome, virile husband she is wed over the pale facsimile she thinks she loves. I thoroughly enjoyed the dialog and the fast pace movement of the story making it a very difficult book to put down. Good read and one I can definitely recommend.
Rating:
Summary: This Rose Had Thorns
Review: At the heart of this story is the `rose', otherwise known as Roseanna Castlemaine, stunningly beautiful daughter of Joanna and Neville Castlemaine but in reality, the illegitimate daughter of King Edward IV. Were it known, it would cause her life to be in danger. She has been betrothed since the age of 11 to Baron Ravenspur, who should have claimed her at the age of 15 but now, all of 17 and having never met the man, she scoffs at the idea that they will ever wed and has fallen in love with the handsome Byron FitzHugh, friend of her brother Jeffrey. Her mother Joanna has high hopes for her daughter making a good marriage, and a landless Knight, does not fit in with her plans. Roseanna hearing that her betrothed is staying at a nearby hunting lodge determines that she will go there and beg the Baron to break the betrothal. Mishaps along the way, cause her to lose her horse, get drenched in a pouring rain so that when Ravenspur's brother, Tristan, finds her he mistakes her for a peasant and decides to make a gift of her to his brother Roger, who along with his men-at-arms are all having an orgy at the hunting lodge. Ravenspur is stunned to realize that this is no peasant but his betrothed and having sworn never to marry again, initially agrees to break the betrothal but the more she provokes him he decides to go through with the marriage anyhow. Roseanne, not one to take being lied to lightly, tries all sorts of escapades to escape the impending marriage and subsequent bedding, but would her feelings of, could it be lust, whenever Ravenspur is near betray her. She can't quite understand how she could `love' Sir Bryan, yet her body react with Ravenspur. This story was the first I've read by this author. I found it extremely rich in the historical background of King Edward IV - with references to the intrigues and betrayals of the treasonous plots during that period. The dog and cat fight romance between Ravenspur and Roseanna was delightful, although through the first half of the book, you'd like to have this vain, spoiled brat, thrown over someone's knee and spanked. It is not until she realizes the difference between infatuation and love does she come to appreciate the strong, handsome, virile husband she is wed over the pale facsimile she thinks she loves. I thoroughly enjoyed the dialog and the fast pace movement of the story making it a very difficult book to put down. Good read and one I can definitely recommend.
Rating:
Summary: A Thorn among the Roses
Review: I am a big fan of Virginia Henley so I was very disappointed in this book. I had to force myself to finish reading it. The characters are not likeable at all especially the heroine. And how can a book be good if you can't even find something likable about the characters. Rose is a spoiled, headstrong brat and not much more can be said about her. This really was not a very good effort. If you have not read any Virginia Henley books I suggest reading a different one. If this had been my first I am sorry to say it may have been the last and that would have been a shame as she has written several others that I like and have kept for my own personal library. This story will not be one that I keep!
Rating:
Summary: A Thorn among the Roses
Review: I am a big fan of Virginia Henley so I was very disappointed in this book. I had to force myself to finish reading it. The characters are not likeable at all especially the heroine. And how can a book be good if you can't even find something likable about the characters. Rose is a spoiled, headstrong brat and not much more can be said about her. This really was not a very good effort. If you have not read any Virginia Henley books I suggest reading a different one. If this had been my first I am sorry to say it may have been the last and that would have been a shame as she has written several others that I like and have kept for my own personal library. This story will not be one that I keep!
Rating:
Summary: This book had everything!! I loved it!!
Review: I am not usually a romance reader, but I stumbled across this book and enjoyed it immenesly!! They should make a movie out of it! I can't wait to read the others!
Rating:
Summary: Better than the typical historical romance...
Review: I love historical romance novels and I picked up this book expecting a good read. I got that and more. The plot felt a little rushed at times, but nonetheless, made for a very interesting book. The characters were likeable although Roseanna is extremely vain and headstrong. Ravenspur on the other hand is strong and determined to win her love, but willing to do so patiently. They deal with the typical issues you find in an historical romance novel, such as first fighting any feelings for each other and then one having to wait patiently for the other to realize they're in love. But they also deal with issues that I'd never expected to see written about in an historical novel. These additional issues added spice, danger, and tension and made the book even more interesting. And just when you think all is well and you're going to read about a happy ending, something else happens. I very much enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to any who like this genre.
Rating:
Summary: Mmmm...Roger, Roger, Roger!!!
Review: I love Virginia Henley's books. I have all her books and have yet to find any that I truely did not like. The Raven was a really good historical romance that painted great pictures of the past. The characters were perfect even with their flaws. Roger is the perfect mate for Roseanna because of his willingness to be patient. Roseanna has moments of youthful temperment which would bring the most sane to his knees at times. Of course, there are spats and making up and then you have the love peeking out SLOWLY but surely. :)
Rating:
Summary: Very touching love story
Review: Not only was this an excellant book but so are the rest of her books. Well done!!!!!!
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