Helpful Score: 3
Not your run-of-the-mill romance novel. The characters were well developed and the plot was good. David was sexy but not an arrogant jerk like most heroes in romance novels are. I would recommend the other early Hunter novels as well, such as Lord of 1000 Nights, By Design, and By Possession. The more recent ones (The Romantic, The Charmer, etc.) aren't as good.
Helpful Score: 2
I found it a little slow at times but, all in all, it was a really good book.
Ruth T. (RegencyBelle) - , reviewed By Arrangement (14th Century London, Bk 4) on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Since I am a great admirer of Madeline Hunter's Romances, I decided to try one that takes place in an earlier period than I usually read. Imagine my surprise when I found myself picked up and set down right in the middle of the 14th Century, in Book 4 of a series I'm going to have to read from the beginning.
What wonderful characters! Darling Christiana, who grows from a delightful girl into a warm, compassionate woman. And David who, figuratively speaking, always plays his cards close to his vest, yet learns to share his dreams and desires with his young bride while the fate of nations hangs in the balance.
This is an absolutely wonderful and satisfying love story. If you haven't already done so, Madeline Hunter, please write a novel about Christiana's brother, Morvan. I'm going to check up on that now.
What wonderful characters! Darling Christiana, who grows from a delightful girl into a warm, compassionate woman. And David who, figuratively speaking, always plays his cards close to his vest, yet learns to share his dreams and desires with his young bride while the fate of nations hangs in the balance.
This is an absolutely wonderful and satisfying love story. If you haven't already done so, Madeline Hunter, please write a novel about Christiana's brother, Morvan. I'm going to check up on that now.
Maryann K. (mckorz11) reviewed By Arrangement (14th Century London, Bk 4) on + 285 more book reviews
Great book.
Karin A. (Jerseygirltoo) -
I enjoy all the books Madeline Hunter wrote that take place during the Medieval time period. This was the first one, followed by "By Possession" and "By Design", and it's my favorite, a real keeper. At first the heroine looks down her nose at the hero because of her socially superior status(she's a noblewoman and he's a merchant). She's quite a snob and also naive. Along the way she learns to value him as she should and matures a lot. The hero, David, OTOH, is fantastic from the first page where he appears. Great love story, with good historical detail and a fascinating plot involving war and politics.
Lady Christiana Fitzwaryn is ordered by the King to marry a commoner, the merchant David de Abyndon. She is furious and refusing, convinced she is in love with a courtier, but David is relentless in his determination to win Christiana's heart. But David also has a secret side, involved in suspicious trade activities that could possibly implicate him against the King. This book has a very unexpected twist towards the end that only adds to the suspenseful theme throughout the story. This is a good story about trust and what it takes to truly put all of it in another person wholeheartedly.
Maria P. (BklynMom) - , reviewed By Arrangement (14th Century London, Bk 4) on + 541 more book reviews
Temptestous characters who try to direct their own lives in a time of intrigue and manipulations in constricting society. Hot, strong charcters, Madeline Hunter delivers.
very entertaining read
Lady Christiana Fitzwaryn is infuriated to find herself betrothed to a common merchant. But there nothing common about this handsome virile man !!! Although both have painful secrets that could destroy their growing affection and passion.
Carolyn B. (moonriver) reviewed By Arrangement (14th Century London, Bk 4) on + 29 more book reviews
As punishment for a romantic indiscretion christina was forced to marry a man sight unseen
so much more to this wonderful story! you will love it!
so much more to this wonderful story! you will love it!
Connie P. (Activegram149) reviewed By Arrangement (14th Century London, Bk 4) on + 809 more book reviews
Loved it. Castles, knights, court intrigue & of course a great love story.
the lady and the commoner...
THE LADY AND THE COMMONER
Lady Christiana Fitzwaryn was not opposed to marriage. But she demanded to be married on her own terms, not as punishment for a romantic indiscretion and especially not to a common merchant. Yet she was in for a shock when she met David de Abyndon. For she was confronted by no ordinary merchant but a man of extrodinary poise and virility. He was unaffected by their difference in social status. And even less affected by her well thought out arguments against their upcoming betrothal. Instead, it was Christiana who felt uneasy in the presence of this naturally lordly man behind whose cool blue eyes she sensed the most uncompromising of passions.
David de Abyndon understood Christiana's dilemma, for he too horbored a secret pain. How could he tell her that there was more to this arrangement than me the eye? How could he tell her about his deal with the king-a deal tht meant he had all but bought Christiana sight unseen? What's more, now that he had seen this beautiful, spirited woman, how could he convince her that the love she sought was not in the callow knight she had romanticized but in the flesh and blood arms of the man who may have bought her body-but in the bargain lost both his heart and soul?
Lady Christiana Fitzwaryn was not opposed to marriage. But she demanded to be married on her own terms, not as punishment for a romantic indiscretion and especially not to a common merchant. Yet she was in for a shock when she met David de Abyndon. For she was confronted by no ordinary merchant but a man of extrodinary poise and virility. He was unaffected by their difference in social status. And even less affected by her well thought out arguments against their upcoming betrothal. Instead, it was Christiana who felt uneasy in the presence of this naturally lordly man behind whose cool blue eyes she sensed the most uncompromising of passions.
David de Abyndon understood Christiana's dilemma, for he too horbored a secret pain. How could he tell her that there was more to this arrangement than me the eye? How could he tell her about his deal with the king-a deal tht meant he had all but bought Christiana sight unseen? What's more, now that he had seen this beautiful, spirited woman, how could he convince her that the love she sought was not in the callow knight she had romanticized but in the flesh and blood arms of the man who may have bought her body-but in the bargain lost both his heart and soul?
THE LADY AND THE COMMONER...
Lady Christiana Fitzwaryn was not opposed to marriage. But she demanded to be married on her own terms, not a punishment for a romantic indiscretion, and especially not to a common merchant. yet she was in for a shock when she met David de Abyndon...
Lady Christiana Fitzwaryn was not opposed to marriage. But she demanded to be married on her own terms, not a punishment for a romantic indiscretion, and especially not to a common merchant. yet she was in for a shock when she met David de Abyndon...
Susan D. (dougbrimor) reviewed By Arrangement (14th Century London, Bk 4) on + 237 more book reviews
the lady and the commoner
