Helpful Score: 4
I have to say, I started giggling almost by the second chapter of this older romance novel, because it was unintentionally hilarious in so many ways. When the hero tells his wife, who's angry about his cheating, "I f*** where I will!", you either throw the book against the wall in disgust, or you just have to laugh. Rolfe is Rolfe the Relentless, and my goodness, that's true. He's a relentless stalker of the poor heroine, making her pretty miserable along the way, but it all turns out happily in the end.
If you are looking for a historical romance novel that you can't take seriously, but one that you will enjoy reading for some good chuckles, then I would recommend The Conqueror highly.
If you are looking for a historical romance novel that you can't take seriously, but one that you will enjoy reading for some good chuckles, then I would recommend The Conqueror highly.
Helpful Score: 2
Jealousy, lust, violence and political intrigue make for surprisingly uninspired fare in Joyce's romance set in England in 1069. Rolfe of Warenne, one of William the Conqueror's valued soldiers, has been sent to suppress Saxon uprisings in the north and capture Edwin and Morcar, brothers fomenting rebellion in that area. Part of William's payment to Rolfe includes the brothers' former stronghold, Aelfgar, as a home, and their sister, Lady Alice, for a wife. Although duty compels Rolfe to marry Alice, he is captivated by a younger, illegitimatep. 51 sister, Ceidre, a bewitching, fiery woman loyal to the Saxon cause. Consumed with jealousy, Alice searches for the means to destroy her sister even as Ceidre, at the request of her rebel brothers, commences a dangerous game: luring Rolfe to her bed to gain his confidence and learn details of local Norman strategy. Although Joyce ( The Darkest Heart ) uses a few historical facts and characters as a starting point, she displays minimal knowledge of daily life in 11th-century Britain and a decided preference for cloying melodrama over political maneuvers.
Helpful Score: 1
One of the best romance novels I have ever read! And one of the few that I actually didn't know the ending before getting there in the book. I would definitely recommend it to any romance lover.
Book #2. I enjoyed this book so much that when I lent it out, never returned I bought again and put it in plastic! Reread about a year ago and decided to let it go.
The Conqueror is a story about Rolfe de Warenne who was one of William the Conqueror's valued soldiers and Ceidre, the illegitimate daughter of a Saxon Lord. After the battle of Hastings, William bestowed on Rolfe âAelfgarâ and the hand of marriage to Lady Alice, Ceidre's half-sister. Upon seeing Ceidre for the first time, Rolfe becomes captivated believing that she is the Lady of Aelfgar and will soon be his wife. Rolfe finds out the truth and feels Ceidre has played him for the fool. Rolfe marries Lady Alice in order to gain his lands but the battle of wills and lust grow stronger every day. Rolfe realizes that he can't have Ceidre so marries her off to his number one, âGuy.â Doing this also gave Rolfe the right to claim âLe droit du deigneurâ on Ceidre's wedding night. Rolfe also learns Lady Alice had a deep hatred for her half sister. She tries several times to do away with her and also attempts murder.
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Rolfe was ordered by King William to bring in Ceidre's half brothers for treason. Ceidre is torn between her loyalty to her brothers and the hidden lust for Rolfe. The dangerous game begins of betrayal, lust and love. Rolfe tries to put Ceidre in her place and Ceidre defies Rolfe at every turn with the desire growing stronger and stronger.
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Rolfe was ordered by King William to bring in Ceidre's half brothers for treason. Ceidre is torn between her loyalty to her brothers and the hidden lust for Rolfe. The dangerous game begins of betrayal, lust and love. Rolfe tries to put Ceidre in her place and Ceidre defies Rolfe at every turn with the desire growing stronger and stronger.
Roberta D. (pinkgirlie1977) reviewed The Conqueror (de Warenne Dynasty, Bk 1) on + 25 more book reviews
I LOVED this book -- not for the faint of heart though. If you enjoy romping 90's romances (which I do), you will love it too. It's a keeper for me!
One of my favorite books that introduced me to the politically incorrect bodice ripper. I am out of the closet on Bodice Rippers and I love them, but the hero has to really fall for the heroine. He has be strong, but love her desperately in the end. The hero Rolfe is the Ultimate Alpha hero the book includes rape, adultery, treason, betrayal and a doomed passion. Even though he is a mean alpha he still can't fight his love for the heroine. Highly recommend this book if you like this kind of stuff and if you don't know... it is a great one to try. After I read The Conqueror I read many more from this author. I really liked the Bragg series which was set in Early America, as well as, many more of the de Warenne Dynasty (although some not as much as others).
Like a pagan god, Rolfe the Relentless rode into Castle Aelfgar to claim it as his prize - and Lady Alice as his bride. Lauded for his bravery in France, In Englanc he was the hated enemy. Once ensconced in his new domain, Ralfe became dtermined to tame the Saxon beauty Ceidre, Alice's illegitimate sister, whosespirit and sensuality made him risk treason to have her - not Lady Alice - in his bed.....
Amanda B. (chefbeyerlein) -
In this historical romance set in the late 1060's, a Norman invader and close friend to King William takes over Aelfgar, the home of two famous Saxon traitors (Edwin and Morcar) and agrees to marry their half-sister in order to cement his hold on that portion of England. However, on the way to his new home he burns a town for hiding Saxon rebels and meets a beautiful Saxon woman, Ceidre, he mistakes for his intended. By the time he realizes her true identity, he is enthralled. Most of the book follows their love-hate relationship, as he marries Lady Alice and married Ceidre off to his second in command while still wanting her. Their relationship is highly entangled in the Norman/Saxon fighting and politics because Ceidre is the illegitimate half-sister of Edwin, Morcar, and Alice and is torn between spying for her beloved brothers against the invaders and falling for one of the hated Normans. I found this romance both highly entertaining and interesting for its glimpse into a portion of history about which I have never read much. I also appreciated the Author's Note where she clearly explained how much was real (King William, Edwin, Morcar, Alice) and what she imagined.
Not quite sure how I felt about this book. A little on the brutal side in spots to be a romance. Yes it ends all all romances do, but parts are a bit hard to believe from rape to love in one night?
Good romantic read.
I really enjoyed reading this book.
A love story between a Norman knight and a Saxon lady.
