The Maiden

Rating:
Summary: Give me a break!!
Review: I found this book to be lacking in many areas. Jura was the most annoying character I have ever read about, you just want to grab her by the shoulders and shake her. Rowan however, seemed to be a believable character, you kind of had to feel sorry for him having to put up with Jura. This book would be good for someone that was into fantasy, but all you romance readers I would recommend you check out her other books.

Rating:
Summary: Bad. Really Bad
Review: I have enjoyed other books by Jude Deveraux, but this one isn't one of them!

The main characters were all over the place. The second it looked like they were going to actually develop a relationship they got themselves into another mess. Most of the time, the pair didn't even LIKE each other. They didn't understand each other, and while that is usually the case in marriages for convenience and similar plot lines, there is a large difference between those books and The Maiden.

Just about every other story gives the couple time to grow and develop. Rowan and Jura don't have a moment (besides those 2 days) to really get to know each other and find out if they really like the person they married. It was absurd how many times the character's would say,"You're going to cause a war." They attempted to prevent war more times than they argued!

Also, the role reversals in the couple was a little odd. Rowan seemed to always get into trouble and Jura had to bail him out. I like strong heroines but the scene where Rowan was alone in the woods by Keon was too much, IMO. If you don't like heroes to cry... this isn't the book for you! It was so difficult to like Jura because she was the most annoying female I have ever read about. I agree with the others, I would have loved to hit her a couple of times.

The motivation of the characters is never clear. One minute they take action due to one reason, the next time they do something completely from left field.

I was truly disappointed in this book. So disappointed that I am HAPPILY shipping this book overseas to a friend who is a big JD fan, but has never read The Maiden. I have already forewarned her but I am just glad to get this awful book out of my hands!

Rating:
Summary: Terrible heroine
Review: I really hated Jura! She's almost as bad as Bronwyn from "Highland Velvet" (another don't-read). I never saw how Rowan could "love" her so instantly. He was really cute, but c'mon, a hero should NOT cry!!! Ugh!

Rating:
Summary: Not Jude Deveraux's normal style
Review: This story was unlike any other I have read by J.D. Maybe because unlike the VELVET series it didn't take place in England or Scotland.
The characters did not resemble the usual Deveraux mold. Rowan is a somewhat flat character and his motives for some of his actions are not quite clear. Jura is a woman who thinks that emotions and attraction are not important but by the end of the book she discovers that they are.
Sometimes there was too much tension between the characters for me to enjoy the book.You wonder why they just can't get along when they are obviously in love. However the book redeems itself and the change of setting is refreshing and adds new flavor. I can't wait for more books about the Lanconians. Good work.