Helpful Score: 2
This is one of my all time favorites by Quick. It's a medieval romance with an interesting story line. A strong heroine that is being forced to marry, as women were in those days, is surprised by a knight with a fierce reputation who values not just the wonderful perfumes and scents made from the flowers her land is famous for, but the woman that oversees their production.
I love all Krentz's books written as Amanda Quick, but especially her older ones.
I love all Krentz's books written as Amanda Quick, but especially her older ones.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was a breath of fresh air. I really liked the place where Clare and Gareth meet. Isle of Desire sounds like a magical place. Clare is a perfume maker and Gareth also likes to experiment as well. When Lord Thurston tells Clare she needs to marry, Clare has a few requirements of her own regarding a suitor. This is Clare's recipe for the perfect candidate:
"First, as regards to his physical qualities, the future lord of Desire must be a man of moderate proportions and stature. It has been my observation that extremely large men prefer to rely on brute strength to achieve their ends rather than upon their wits and learning. I do not care for men who try to overwhelm one with their physical prowess. Therefore, please keep size in mind when you make your selections for me. Second my future lord must be of more cheerful countenance and well-mannered, pleasing disposition. I am certain you will understand when I tell you that I have no wish to be bound to a man who is melancholic or given fits of temper and foul moods. Third it's absolutely essential that my husband be a learned man one who enjoys of reading and who enjoys intellectual discourse".
"First, as regards to his physical qualities, the future lord of Desire must be a man of moderate proportions and stature. It has been my observation that extremely large men prefer to rely on brute strength to achieve their ends rather than upon their wits and learning. I do not care for men who try to overwhelm one with their physical prowess. Therefore, please keep size in mind when you make your selections for me. Second my future lord must be of more cheerful countenance and well-mannered, pleasing disposition. I am certain you will understand when I tell you that I have no wish to be bound to a man who is melancholic or given fits of temper and foul moods. Third it's absolutely essential that my husband be a learned man one who enjoys of reading and who enjoys intellectual discourse".
Helpful Score: 1
I am normally a big fan of Amanda Quick's, but not this time. Desire started off strong, but I soon found myself watching the page numbers to see how many were left. I really liked both main characters in the beginning, but shortly after Gareth's personality was established, it changed so quickly that it seemed as though his twin of a much milder temperance had taken his place. I also was thoroughly disappointed with the ending, but of course I won't give anything away. This could have been a really great book if only Ms. Quick had kept the characters the way she created them. I was really hoping for more from characters so unlike her usual hero and heroine.
Helpful Score: 1
Great book, characters are so wonderful. Very strong-willed woman, strong man with much patience.
Helpful Score: 1
Clare and Gareth made a very great couple. This is definately a must read book! The passion between them is so good.
Helpful Score: 1
I've been a big fan of Amanda Quick since way back when she wrote as Stephanie James, Jayne Ann Krentz and Jayne Castle. How is it possible that she wrote a medieval in the exact same guise as one of her regency or contemporary romantic suspense books. I'm not even kidding, one could substitute the clothes, mannerisms, backdrop, etc. and interchange the genres. That's a neat trick, one I've not seen any other author pull off.
This is not to say that she doesn't do a good job drawing you into the time period, but this could just have easily been set in 20th C. Seattle or 1812 London. Although this particular H&H was new to me, I've read about them before in the author's other works, i.e., the way they interact with one another, make love, spar/argue, make up, etc..
The good news is that Quick is a consistent writer, the bad news is that Quick is a consistent writer. And while the story is an interesting one, I can't help feeling like it's a retread.
This is not to say that she doesn't do a good job drawing you into the time period, but this could just have easily been set in 20th C. Seattle or 1812 London. Although this particular H&H was new to me, I've read about them before in the author's other works, i.e., the way they interact with one another, make love, spar/argue, make up, etc..
The good news is that Quick is a consistent writer, the bad news is that Quick is a consistent writer. And while the story is an interesting one, I can't help feeling like it's a retread.
From the back cover
Upon her fathers death, beautiful, headstrong Lady Clare knew that she must wed, for the protection of the Isle of Desire now fell to her. Yet when her guardians choice of prospective husband rode through her castle gates, she felt utterly betrayed. All sinewy muscle and savage steel, Sir Gareth of Wychmere was not the poet shed requested but a fearsome knight whose only interest was in war.
Legions of robbers had fallen beneath the Hellbound of Wyckmeres sword, and now this bold warrior was certain that he could tame one willful wife. Yet even Gareth could not deter Lady Clare from trying to mold him into her idealuntil their clash of wills ignited a passion that set them both aflameand a treacherous plot put their love and their lives in deadly peril.
Upon her fathers death, beautiful, headstrong Lady Clare knew that she must wed, for the protection of the Isle of Desire now fell to her. Yet when her guardians choice of prospective husband rode through her castle gates, she felt utterly betrayed. All sinewy muscle and savage steel, Sir Gareth of Wychmere was not the poet shed requested but a fearsome knight whose only interest was in war.
Legions of robbers had fallen beneath the Hellbound of Wyckmeres sword, and now this bold warrior was certain that he could tame one willful wife. Yet even Gareth could not deter Lady Clare from trying to mold him into her idealuntil their clash of wills ignited a passion that set them both aflameand a treacherous plot put their love and their lives in deadly peril.
These are such great books, you will enjoy the storyline and all the history and information in it as well as the characters. They are well developed and make you want to know them better.
One of my favoorite! Something about knights of old just get to me. I could read this many many times over!
I really enjoyed reading this book. What an ending but I'll give you no hints.
Okay. Hellhound sent to mary Lady over a perfume isle.
Typical Amanda Quick Romance. Fast-paced and quirky. Cute, a light read. A couple of chortlingly funny bits. Enjoyable.
Loved this book, great female character and storyline. A really fun read.
This is one of my favorite books!! It is very very very very very funny!!!!!!!
I always enjoy reading books by Amanda Quick. This was good as usual.
Tale of a daring lady and a dangerous knight brought together by a storm of fate and the beginning of Desire
Amanda Quick can always be counted on to entertain.
The owner of the Isle of Desire after her father's death, Lady Clare knows she must marry to protect her inheritance but nonetheless feels betrayed when her guardian chooses a fearsome knight, and not the poet she requested, to be her spouse.
This book was a breath of fresh air. I really liked the place where Clare and Gareth meet. Isle of Desire sounds like a magical place. Clare is a perfume maker and Gareth also likes to experiment as well. When Lord Thurston tells Clare she needs to marry, Clare has a few requirements of her own regarding a suitor. This is Clare's recipe for the perfect candidate:
"First, as regards to his physical qualities, the future lord of Desire must be a man of moderate proportions and stature. It has been my observation that extremely large men prefer to rely on brute strength to achieve their ends rather than upon their wits and learning. I do not care for men who try to overwhelm one with their physical prowess. Therefore, please keep size in mind when you make your selections for me. Second my future lord must be of more cheerful countenance and well-mannered, pleasing disposition. I am certain you will understand when I tell you that I have no wish to be bound to a man who is melancholic or given fits of temper and foul moods. Third it's absolutely essential that my husband be a learned man one who enjoys of reading and who enjoys intellectual discourse".
"First, as regards to his physical qualities, the future lord of Desire must be a man of moderate proportions and stature. It has been my observation that extremely large men prefer to rely on brute strength to achieve their ends rather than upon their wits and learning. I do not care for men who try to overwhelm one with their physical prowess. Therefore, please keep size in mind when you make your selections for me. Second my future lord must be of more cheerful countenance and well-mannered, pleasing disposition. I am certain you will understand when I tell you that I have no wish to be bound to a man who is melancholic or given fits of temper and foul moods. Third it's absolutely essential that my husband be a learned man one who enjoys of reading and who enjoys intellectual discourse".
A windswept British isle is the scene of this thrilling tale of a beautiful, daring young woman and the fearsome knight she did not choose, bound by fate...and by passion.
From the windswept, craggy coast of a remote British Isle comes the thrilling tale of a daring lady and a dangerous knight... bound by the tempests of fate--and the dawning of... Desire
Upon her father's death, beautiful, headstrong Lady Clarre knew that she must wed, for the protection of the Isle of Desire new fell to her. Yet when her guardian's choice of prospective husband rode through her castle gates, she felt utterly betrayed. All sinewy muscle and savage steel, Sir Gareth of Wyckmere was not the poet she'd requested but a fearsome knight whose only interest was in war.
Legions of robbers had fallen beneath the Hellhound of Wyckmere's sword, and now this bold warrior was certain that he could tame one willful wife. Yet even Gareth could not deter Lady Clare from trying to mold him into her ideal... until their clash of wills ignited a passion that set them both aflame... and a treacherous plot put their lives in deadly peril.
Upon her father's death, beautiful, headstrong Lady Clarre knew that she must wed, for the protection of the Isle of Desire new fell to her. Yet when her guardian's choice of prospective husband rode through her castle gates, she felt utterly betrayed. All sinewy muscle and savage steel, Sir Gareth of Wyckmere was not the poet she'd requested but a fearsome knight whose only interest was in war.
Legions of robbers had fallen beneath the Hellhound of Wyckmere's sword, and now this bold warrior was certain that he could tame one willful wife. Yet even Gareth could not deter Lady Clare from trying to mold him into her ideal... until their clash of wills ignited a passion that set them both aflame... and a treacherous plot put their lives in deadly peril.
From the windswept, craggy coast of a remote British Isle comes the thrilling tale of a daring lady and a dangerous knight... bound by the tempests of fate--and the dawning of... Desire
Upon her father's death, beautiful, headstrong Lady Clarre knew that she must wed, for the protection of the Isle of Desire new fell to her. Yet when her guardian's choice of prospective husband rode through her castle gates, she felt utterly betrayed. All sinewy muscle and savage steel, Sir Gareth of Wyckmere was not the poet she'd requested but a fearsome knight whose only interest was in war.
Legions of robbers had fallen beneath the Hellhound of Wyckmere's sword, and now this bold warrior was certain that he could tame one willful wife. Yet even Gareth could not deter Lady Clare from trying to mold him into her ideal... until their clash of wills ignited a passion that set them both aflame... and a treacherous plot put their lives in deadly peril.
Upon her father's death, beautiful, headstrong Lady Clarre knew that she must wed, for the protection of the Isle of Desire new fell to her. Yet when her guardian's choice of prospective husband rode through her castle gates, she felt utterly betrayed. All sinewy muscle and savage steel, Sir Gareth of Wyckmere was not the poet she'd requested but a fearsome knight whose only interest was in war.
Legions of robbers had fallen beneath the Hellhound of Wyckmere's sword, and now this bold warrior was certain that he could tame one willful wife. Yet even Gareth could not deter Lady Clare from trying to mold him into her ideal... until their clash of wills ignited a passion that set them both aflame... and a treacherous plot put their lives in deadly peril.
