The Rose & the Flame

Rating:
Summary: Storyline ....
Review: ... here is the description from the back of the book to help you decide if this book is for you: "Reunited with Luis de los Santos, the man who shunned her years before, Elena suffers a double blow when she discovers that Luis belongs to another ... Sultry and exquisitely beautiful, Elena was sought after by every man in Mary Tudor's court, but only one held her heart. As golden as the sun, Luis de los Santos had given her a taste of ecstasy in his strong arms, but he offered illicit passion instead of a wedding ring. Dirven apart by prive, they would be reunited by destiny on the sun-drenched plains of a Spanish rancho. Now Luis belonged to another, but his forbidden love for Elena knew no bounds, obeyed no strictures. Side by side they would battle the dangers of their turbulent era and forge a new life together ..."

Rating:
Summary: Was it worth it? Well...
Review: The other review just recited the plot, so there's no need for me to do so. I'd say this is a solid 3-star romantic novel. There's not much depth to either of the main characters, aside from their physical beauty, and the instant attraction they feel for each other. The novel's setting is an exciting one -- Mary Tudor's court; Spain & the Spanish Inquistion in the 1550's...yet somehow, despite flashes of creative writing, the novel really doesn't take off & become memorable or even especially moving. I did want to keep reading, however; I never lost interest in what was going to happen. I probably felt more sympathy for poor old Queen Mary Tudor; the hero's brother Cristobal, and even the hero's wife, than I did for the hero & heroine! In the final analysis, it's a "good read", but in the end, not quite a keeper due to a certain superficiality in the presentation of the hero & heroine.