Helpful Score: 3
Her father's a jerk and had her mother killed. She is married by force and her new husband is a jerk too. She changes and becomes subservent in order to win his love. Completely unbelievable part of the book is the part where you discover why it is called Rosehaven. Really, don't want to spoil it because it is a good book as a whole because Coulter does a great job of keeping with the times and what life was like way back then, so I won't spoil it even though I know you will agree with me that it is completely unbelievable once you read it too.
Helpful Score: 2
Well written and not at all boring. A story of two people who hardly know each other but are married anyway, and all the power stuggles that ensue. Hastings married a man she probably wouldn't have chosen for herself, but is still depicted as a strong female. The end just gets better, and even takes a surprising twist...
Helpful Score: 2
Although better than I expected it to be, the "hero" was a real jerk to the lady of the story until the very end.
Helpful Score: 2
I normally like Catherine Coulter's books. Not this one. Things seemed fine at first, until, early in the book, the male lead (can't call him a hero) rapes the female lead. At that point, the two leads falling in love becomes an unbelievable outcome. I don't see how anyone can believe that a woman could fall in love with a man who not only raped her, but tied her to a dog and made her eat on the floor with the dogs in front of the entire household, including her main rival. Sorry, I just can't believe a woman falling in love with someone who raped and humiliated her.
Helpful Score: 2
I found this book to be revolting. The heroine is told over and over again that it is her behavior that causes her husband, Severn, to be abusive. He rapes her and blames her for the state of their relationship, and the servants in the castle agree! When Sewvern leaves to tour the other holdings (which he's gotten through marrying her), he beds a girl younger than his new 18-year-old wife and -- after having sex with her 3 times -- feels a little guilty.
I understand that this story may be closer to historically accurate than others set in this time period (13th century), but that is not the reason I read this genre of book. There is always a suspension of disbelief when reading a story, and sometimes the rules of those worlds are greater than others. However, as long as the "rules" the story goes by are held to and not violated, it can become an enjoyable read. This book was far from that.
I understand that this story may be closer to historically accurate than others set in this time period (13th century), but that is not the reason I read this genre of book. There is always a suspension of disbelief when reading a story, and sometimes the rules of those worlds are greater than others. However, as long as the "rules" the story goes by are held to and not violated, it can become an enjoyable read. This book was far from that.
Helpful Score: 1
Catherine Coulter is a wonderful writer. She actually transports you to England in the year of 1277. The times, the customs, the foods, and the feel of that period. I enjoyed the book very much. It has a surprise ending that I never saw coming.
Helpful Score: 1
One of the last period pieces she wrote before she started writing romantic suspense. Good writing and great hero. I miss her historicals. I feel this was more suited to her writing than what she is doing now.
this is one of my favorite books ever and my favorite of catherine coulter...this book is my first read by catherine coulter and is the reason i have purchased so many of her books!!
I am not a big Catherine Coulter fan, but I really REALLY enjoyed this one. If I'd ever get asked to recommend on written by her, I always recommend this one.
Catherine Coulter is one of my favorite authors. This is a good romance story.
Very cute and entertaining. A great host of animals with personality in addition to a good story.
Medieval England provides the background for Coulter's latest spirited romance, a tale that pits willful young heiress Hastings of Trent against her new husband, doughty warrior Severin of Langthorne. The union has been decreed by Hastings's dying father, the Earl of Oxborough, to save her?and the castle and estate?from the evil depredations of Richard de Luci. As de Luci's forces advance on the castle, Severin consummates the marriage with practical dispatch. He explains away his harsh commands and brutal deflowering expedient behavior (if Hastings is no longer a virgin, de Luci cannot claim her as a bride), but Hastings feels she has been raped. Seeking counsel from several older women, she is told she must change her attitude and try to please her husband. She takes their advice and, to her surprise, Severin's behavior toward her changes dramatically. Then, just as the relationship begins to grow, beautiful Lady Marjorie, Severin's long-lost first love, arrives at the castle, perhaps, Hastings fears, to try to win Severin back. Compounding her worries is her discovery that the earl had maintained a mysterious second household at Rosehaven, a keep on the English coast. After an angry confrontation with Severin about Marjorie, Hastings sets out alone to find Rosehaven. The secret of the secluded castle is part of the requisite happy ending, but Coulter's (The Valentine Legacy) portrayal of an abusive husband as a romantic hero may leave some readers less than pleased. Although it is presented in the context of the era, her suggestion that a woman can, by changing her behavior, alter the pattern of abuse in a relationship is frightening. The notion that a physically brutal man can be tamed by an intelligent wife is difficult to accept.
Great Victorian romanticist historical drama and suspense.
excellent, wonderful book!!
Just another entry in the bodice ripper category.
Historical Novel
ome back to England in the year 1277 and meet Hastings of Trent and Severin of Langthorne, two strangers joined in marriage. Hastings is an heiress and Severin is the warrior whom the dying Earl of Oxborough has selected to assume his title, properties, possessions, and his daughter. It is Severin's duty to sire children, to bring strong new blood to the line, and keep Oxborough powerful.
Hastings thinks he's cold-blooded, severe, merciless. Severin doesn't smile, he looks capable of cruelty, he inspires fear. Then a marten appears over the top of his tunic.
Now, who can be afraid of a man who carries a marten in his tunic?
As for Hastings, Severin believes she should be obedient, submissive, malleable. She should speak softly and do whatever he wants, immediately.
Both are in for a surprise.
Hastings thinks he's cold-blooded, severe, merciless. Severin doesn't smile, he looks capable of cruelty, he inspires fear. Then a marten appears over the top of his tunic.
Now, who can be afraid of a man who carries a marten in his tunic?
As for Hastings, Severin believes she should be obedient, submissive, malleable. She should speak softly and do whatever he wants, immediately.
Both are in for a surprise.
This was a great book. I have one on my keeper shelf. SO I would like to share this with someone.
Come back to England in the year 1277 and meet Hastings of Trent and Severin of Langthorne, two strangers joined in marriage. Hastings is an heiress and Severin is the warrior whom the dying Earl of Oxborough has selected to assume his title, properties, possessions, and his daughter. It is Severin's duty to sire children, to bring strong new blood to the line, and keep Oxborough powerful.
Hastings thinks he's cold-blooded, severe, merciless. Severin doesn't smile, he looks capable of cruelty, he inspires fear. Then a marten appears over the top of his tunic.
Now, who can be afraid of a man who carries a marten in his tunic?
As for Hastings, Severin believes she should be obedient, submissive, malleable. She should speak softly and do whatever he wants, immediately.
Both are in for a surprise.
Hastings thinks he's cold-blooded, severe, merciless. Severin doesn't smile, he looks capable of cruelty, he inspires fear. Then a marten appears over the top of his tunic.
Now, who can be afraid of a man who carries a marten in his tunic?
As for Hastings, Severin believes she should be obedient, submissive, malleable. She should speak softly and do whatever he wants, immediately.
Both are in for a surprise.
from the back: Come back to England in the year 1277 and meet Hastings of Trent and Severin of Langthorne, two strangers joined in marriage. Hastings is an heiress and Severin is the warrior whome the dying Earl of Oxborough has selected to assume his title, properties, possessions, and his daughter. It is Severin's duty to sire chidlren, to bring strong new blood to the line, and keep Oxborough powerful.
