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Rakehell
Nicola Cornick's characters draw you into their world and hold you there!
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Cataromance
Nicola Cornick is a marvellous storyteller!
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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2 reviews
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
English Civil War Romance
4 Jan 2007
Format:Mass Market Paperback
In 1641, 17-year-old Lady Anne Grafton is betrothed to Simon, Lord Greville, the oldest son of the Earl of Harington, her father's neighbor and closest friend. By 1645, the Earl of Grafton lies dying and his estate is being held by Royalist forces besieged by Parliamentarian forces under the command of Simon Greville. While he is planning his final attack, Simon receives a surprise visit from his former betrothed begging him to spare Grafton. She also informs him that his younger brother, who he had assumed was dead, was actually being held at Grafton by the ruthless Royalist General Gerard Malvoisier. Simon is impressed by Anne's courage, and is reminded of his old desire for her, but is unable to accede to her wishes.
By the following morning, the Earl of Grafton has died in his sleep, but Anne doesn't have time to mourn when Grafton is attacked and Malvoisier sets fire to the tower to provide cover for his cowardly escape. Anne herself is narrowly rescued by the victorious Simon.
Once in control of Grafton, Simon faces numerous challenges: restore the estate that was ravaged by Royalist forces, hunt down the now renegade Malvoisier, convince Anne to swear allegiance to the Parliamentarian cause, and, of course, to woo Anne into his bed and marriage. Simon is also determined to learn the whereabouts of the King's treasure that he believes has been hidden at Grafton. Anne remains loyal to the King despite learning some unsettling truths and refuses to admit to the existence of the treasure or reveal its location. Anne's efforts to protect the treasure and deliver it to the King are a source of conflict between Simon and Anne even as their personal relationship intensifies. The situation is further complicated by Malvoisier's attempts to wreak vengeance on Grafton and steal the treasure for himself.
The talented Ms. Cornick scores again with this fine romance set in a period that is perhaps less well known to American audiences. Despite that, readers will have no difficulty sympathizing with the torn loyalties of decent, well-meaning people faced with civil war. The historical setting is fascinating, the story is riveting, the characters and their struggles of conscience are believable, and the romance between Simon and Anne is wonderfully sensual. Ms. Cornick's 17th century tale is highly recommended.
By the following morning, the Earl of Grafton has died in his sleep, but Anne doesn't have time to mourn when Grafton is attacked and Malvoisier sets fire to the tower to provide cover for his cowardly escape. Anne herself is narrowly rescued by the victorious Simon.
Once in control of Grafton, Simon faces numerous challenges: restore the estate that was ravaged by Royalist forces, hunt down the now renegade Malvoisier, convince Anne to swear allegiance to the Parliamentarian cause, and, of course, to woo Anne into his bed and marriage. Simon is also determined to learn the whereabouts of the King's treasure that he believes has been hidden at Grafton. Anne remains loyal to the King despite learning some unsettling truths and refuses to admit to the existence of the treasure or reveal its location. Anne's efforts to protect the treasure and deliver it to the King are a source of conflict between Simon and Anne even as their personal relationship intensifies. The situation is further complicated by Malvoisier's attempts to wreak vengeance on Grafton and steal the treasure for himself.
The talented Ms. Cornick scores again with this fine romance set in a period that is perhaps less well known to American audiences. Despite that, readers will have no difficulty sympathizing with the torn loyalties of decent, well-meaning people faced with civil war. The historical setting is fascinating, the story is riveting, the characters and their struggles of conscience are believable, and the romance between Simon and Anne is wonderfully sensual. Ms. Cornick's 17th century tale is highly recommended.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Not captivated because of the heroine
25 July 2008
Format:Mass Market Paperback
It was difficult to like this novel mainly due to the extremely proud heroine. The setting was unique though, the English Civil war with the hero and heroine on opposite sides. It was a great source of conflict but it became a bit trying toward the end.
Anne and Simon were to wed but civil war tore them apart. Because Anne is a staunch royalist and Simon a Parliamentarian, their betrothal is broken by the king. They do not see each other for four years and when they do meet again it is under harsh conditions; Simon is about to storm Anne's keep. She arrives hoping to secure his promise not to invade because she fears for her people. She also lets Simon know that his brother is held in the castle and that he could die during the battle.
She is surprised Simon does not acquiesce to her wishes, a most foolhardy belief on her part. He is a warrior. Simon also knows that Henry, his brother, could be killed even if he did retreat. The man holding the keep is villainous in the extreme.
Eventually Simon wins the day and even saves Anne's life, preventing her from foolishly rushing into a burning tower to see her dead father again. She thanks Simon then expects him to leave the keep to her. Again, what is this woman thinking; that she can stop an entire war? Of course, Simon must keep the castle for the Parliamentary cause. There is also a "treasure for the King" hidden there.
Simon wants to marry her and Anne constantly says no. She does not recognize his innate goodness and nags him about not having faith in her when she really has no faith in him. This is abundantly true at the end of the novel. I had no problem with Anne sticking to her loyalties to the crown. Heroines should be loyal. But she was intolerably stubborn about her future with Simon and for a woman who says she does everything for her people when it comes to marrying a man who will protect them and is unerringly kind in victory she rebels. She also thinks war and its consequences should not touch her. For a supposedly smart lady she makes a lot of blunders.
Finally the lovemaking between these two feels stilted and forced. I never believed they really desired each other. Their first and second kisses were believable but later scenes did not feel romantic.
Anne and Simon were to wed but civil war tore them apart. Because Anne is a staunch royalist and Simon a Parliamentarian, their betrothal is broken by the king. They do not see each other for four years and when they do meet again it is under harsh conditions; Simon is about to storm Anne's keep. She arrives hoping to secure his promise not to invade because she fears for her people. She also lets Simon know that his brother is held in the castle and that he could die during the battle.
She is surprised Simon does not acquiesce to her wishes, a most foolhardy belief on her part. He is a warrior. Simon also knows that Henry, his brother, could be killed even if he did retreat. The man holding the keep is villainous in the extreme.
Eventually Simon wins the day and even saves Anne's life, preventing her from foolishly rushing into a burning tower to see her dead father again. She thanks Simon then expects him to leave the keep to her. Again, what is this woman thinking; that she can stop an entire war? Of course, Simon must keep the castle for the Parliamentary cause. There is also a "treasure for the King" hidden there.
Simon wants to marry her and Anne constantly says no. She does not recognize his innate goodness and nags him about not having faith in her when she really has no faith in him. This is abundantly true at the end of the novel. I had no problem with Anne sticking to her loyalties to the crown. Heroines should be loyal. But she was intolerably stubborn about her future with Simon and for a woman who says she does everything for her people when it comes to marrying a man who will protect them and is unerringly kind in victory she rebels. She also thinks war and its consequences should not touch her. For a supposedly smart lady she makes a lot of blunders.
Finally the lovemaking between these two feels stilted and forced. I never believed they really desired each other. Their first and second kisses were believable but later scenes did not feel romantic.
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