Helpful Score: 3
Started out good but I just couldn't finish this. The author has a very dry writing style and I was bored by the time I finally gave it up.
After years on the battlefields of the Crusades, Galerin of Heywood has finally come home. He longs to hold his beloved wife and the young son he has never seen, but it is with shock that he finds his wife branded an adulteress and his child dead.
Always loving and faithful, Jehanne had believed Galerin dead when she became Raymond of Lowick's lover and bore his daughter. Raymond has fled leaving her to face Galerin's wrath. She has never stopped loving Galerin and grieves for the loss of their son, yet she knows he is justified in his hatred and rage.
Try as he might, Galerin cannot condemn Jehanne for what has happened. Torn by his own grief, he cannot believe Jehanne murdered his son and he accepts the infant girl as his own while he and Jehanne begin to rebuild their marriage.
However, Raymond has powerful friends in the church and will do whatever he must to gain control over Jehanne. In a world thick with intrigue and where passions run deep, Jehanne and Galerin fight for their love, their land and their children.
Always loving and faithful, Jehanne had believed Galerin dead when she became Raymond of Lowick's lover and bore his daughter. Raymond has fled leaving her to face Galerin's wrath. She has never stopped loving Galerin and grieves for the loss of their son, yet she knows he is justified in his hatred and rage.
Try as he might, Galerin cannot condemn Jehanne for what has happened. Torn by his own grief, he cannot believe Jehanne murdered his son and he accepts the infant girl as his own while he and Jehanne begin to rebuild their marriage.
However, Raymond has powerful friends in the church and will do whatever he must to gain control over Jehanne. In a world thick with intrigue and where passions run deep, Jehanne and Galerin fight for their love, their land and their children.
Only Jo Beverley could come up with this story. So amazing, considering the times, of the hero coming home from the crusades to find, not only his son he'd never seen, dead, but his wife for whom he'd been celibate for 2 years, holding a few month old babe, who obviously was not his. Not only does he forgive her, but accepts this child whole heartedly because he would never conceive of hurting his beloved wife.
What Galeran goes through to overcome the betrayal and then the machinations to overcome all the difficulties of keeping the child are nothing short of heroic.
Then, on top of that, you have Aline and Raoul's story (which I truly enjoyed). I'll say like a previous reviewer, what an amazing tidbit the fact that ladies of the manor were supposed to bath high ranking visitors. This was truly an eye opener. What a way to weave historical fact into a delightful romance.
This is an amazing book, but anything by Jo Beverley, I've discovered is terrific.
What Galeran goes through to overcome the betrayal and then the machinations to overcome all the difficulties of keeping the child are nothing short of heroic.
Then, on top of that, you have Aline and Raoul's story (which I truly enjoyed). I'll say like a previous reviewer, what an amazing tidbit the fact that ladies of the manor were supposed to bath high ranking visitors. This was truly an eye opener. What a way to weave historical fact into a delightful romance.
This is an amazing book, but anything by Jo Beverley, I've discovered is terrific.
Set in 10th century England, a man returns from the Crusades to find his home, life and wife no longer as he knew them.
If you like Medieval fiction, this is a book for you. (Secular)
If you like Medieval fiction, this is a book for you. (Secular)
Good historical romance story
I really liked the interaction of the 2 main characters. How a man would react to come home from war to find his wife has had another mans child?
Medieval England is the setting for this romantic tale of a husband returned from war to find a rival for his wife's affections.
Initially it was really hard for me to get through the book. Not because it wasn't good, but because I hated the heroine, Jehanna. Every couple of chapters I had to stop reading because I couldn't stand her and upset at Galeran, for being so forgiving. I almost stopped reading the book, but decided to trudge on. Finally Aline and Raoul happened... Thank goodness! Aline and Raoul, having their own side story in the book, was a great reprieve from your feelings towards Jehanna. Overall, it's a great story if you can get pass your dislike of the heroine. You'll sympathize with Galeran. enjoy the battle between Aline and Raoul and you may find yourself teary eyed when Galeran finally mourns for his son.
I've enjoyed Jo Beverly's other medieval romances, but this one not so much.
Jehanne has never stopped loving her husband, Galeran of heywood. And now he's returned from war-leaner, tougher, callused in body and soul, longing for his wife and the child he has never seen. In other circumstances, it would be all Jehanne could ever hope for, but time and fate have wrought changes that neither of them could have expected when they kissed goodbye three years ago.
Jehanne has never stopped loving her husband, Galeran of Heywood. And now he's returned from war--leaner,tougher,callused in body and soul,longing for his wife and the child he has never seen. In other circumstances, it would be all Jehanne could ever hope for, but time and fate have wrought changes that neither of them could have expected when they kissed goodbye three years age.
For now Galeran has a rival, Raymond of Lowick, an ambitious nobleman who wants everthing Galeran had--his lands,his castle,and his wife. He'll use any means and any deceit to gain control over Jehanne. But Galeran is not a man to give up, no matter what powerful allies Raymond may have. Now, as the glittering court assembles, two men will vie for the same woman, and a battle-weary warrior will mount one least campaign for Jehanne's safety, and her heart...
I think this is a pretty good book. I thought it was sad when Galeran came home to find out his son is dead. And that his wife has a baby by Raymond of Lowick.
For now Galeran has a rival, Raymond of Lowick, an ambitious nobleman who wants everthing Galeran had--his lands,his castle,and his wife. He'll use any means and any deceit to gain control over Jehanne. But Galeran is not a man to give up, no matter what powerful allies Raymond may have. Now, as the glittering court assembles, two men will vie for the same woman, and a battle-weary warrior will mount one least campaign for Jehanne's safety, and her heart...
I think this is a pretty good book. I thought it was sad when Galeran came home to find out his son is dead. And that his wife has a baby by Raymond of Lowick.
Jehanne has never stopped loving her husband and now he's returned from war. But fate has wrought changes that neither of them could have expected.
Jehanne has never stopped loving her husband and as he returns from war he finds that he has a rival...and he needs to win his wife back.
