Helpful Score: 4
A stirring medieval tale of a displaced knight and a bondswoman. This book is aptly titled. Some readers may find the book slightly uncomfortable, as I did initially, but skillfully-written character development more than makes up for any unease. Part of a series: By Posession, By Design (Rhys and Joan's story) and Stealing Heaven (Marcus's story).
Helpful Score: 2
From reading two of her books, I've decided Madeline Hunter writes really mean romances. This is the second in a trio, and I've alsoread the first, "By Arrangement." Both of her men are possessive (yeah, I know that's the title...) but not possessive in a protective, loving way. Addis, the man in "By Possession" treats Moira with a "you're mine, you have no rights, I'm only letting you think you have any say" attitude and I couldn't stand it. I only finished the book because several reviewers said they liked it so much so I had to see if it changed. The last couple pages were great! Exactally what Addis should have been doing all along! These last pages hardly made up for the other 368.
Maybe this is a bit more realistic for the way a bondswoman and her lord would act towards each other, but I guess that's not what I want to read in a romance novel.
The story itself had a lot going on. There was some pagan mysticism (should have been a lot more of it, or none at all), a political uprising (which seemed to have very little consequence), and family intrigue (which got hastily summed up in the last ten pages or so).
The third book is about a character introduced in "By Possesion." There was an excerpt at the end of the book which leads me to believe Ms. Hunter has created a new, nicer, character type. I plan on finishing the trio but I hope the last book isn't as spiteful as "By Possession."
Maybe this is a bit more realistic for the way a bondswoman and her lord would act towards each other, but I guess that's not what I want to read in a romance novel.
The story itself had a lot going on. There was some pagan mysticism (should have been a lot more of it, or none at all), a political uprising (which seemed to have very little consequence), and family intrigue (which got hastily summed up in the last ten pages or so).
The third book is about a character introduced in "By Possesion." There was an excerpt at the end of the book which leads me to believe Ms. Hunter has created a new, nicer, character type. I plan on finishing the trio but I hope the last book isn't as spiteful as "By Possession."
This one is a winner-great middle ages romance plus a little royal intrigue. My first Hunter book but I will be checking out the other two in this series.
Wow, what a wonderful love story with strong characters. Great medieval, highly recommended
Good some boring spots but overall a very good read.
#2 to her medieval series
For years she had thought he was dead. Yet when Addis de Valence strode into Moira Falkner's cottage, there was no mistaking the sharp planes of his face, and the scar she herself had helped to heal. The young squire who had once been her hero was now her lord, a hardened man who returned to claim the son she had raised as her own. But Moira couldn't deny that Addis roused a passion she never thought to feel - and a perilous hope for a future that could never be...
Addis returned from the Crusades to find his lands usurped by his stepbrother, and his country on the brink of rebellion. Determined to reclaim his birthright, Addis could not afford to be distracted by a woman - even one as tempting as Moira. Yet the only living part of his contented past lay in Moira - and his desire for her was more dangerous than his deadly battles with the king's men. By law, Moira belonged to him...but possessing her heart might be far more difficult.
Addis returned from the Crusades to find his lands usurped by his stepbrother, and his country on the brink of rebellion. Determined to reclaim his birthright, Addis could not afford to be distracted by a woman - even one as tempting as Moira. Yet the only living part of his contented past lay in Moira - and his desire for her was more dangerous than his deadly battles with the king's men. By law, Moira belonged to him...but possessing her heart might be far more difficult.
For years she had thought he was dead. Yet when Addis de Valence strode into Moira Falkner's cottage, there was no mistaking the sharp planes of his face, and the scar she herself had helped to heal. The young squire who had once been her hero was now her lord, a hardened man who returned to claim the son she had raised as her own. But Moira couldn't deny that Addis roused a passion she never thought to feel--and a perilous hope for a future that could never be...
Addis returned from the Crusades to find his lands usurped by his stepbrother, and his country on the brink of rebellion. Determined to reclaim his birthrigh, Addis could not afford to be distracted by a woman--even one as tempting as Moira. Yet the only living part of his contented past lay in Moira--and his desire for her was more dangerous than his deadly battles with the king's men. By law, Moira belonged to him...but possessing her heart might be far more difficult.
Addis returned from the Crusades to find his lands usurped by his stepbrother, and his country on the brink of rebellion. Determined to reclaim his birthrigh, Addis could not afford to be distracted by a woman--even one as tempting as Moira. Yet the only living part of his contented past lay in Moira--and his desire for her was more dangerous than his deadly battles with the king's men. By law, Moira belonged to him...but possessing her heart might be far more difficult.
