This novel is an example of Historical Romance done properly. It offers a bit of everything. A mystery that only resolves at the end of the book, conflict, travel, star-crossed lovers (yes lovers.. there are more than one set in this) and so on. Admittedly it is a bodice-ripper and while the basic historical framework is intact the author mentions in her note that she changed what she needed and wanted to to fit the story. The thing is the story is so engrossing you really don't notice. The key here is that the story is driven by the romantic context - not the reason for it. You also never get the feeling that the author is following a formula [Hai Harlequin!] and thinks.. oh six pages have gone by *insert sex scene, romantic whatever, ad nauseam*. The encounters in this novel make sense to the storyline and the plot.

Karia's review is one of the better ones shown below and part of the reason I am not being more detailed. The only thing she didn't mention is regarding the pairs of lovers - we have the "anti-star-crossed lovers" in the form of Ian and .. ok I forgot her name. But their relationship while [a form of] love is seriously twisted, unlike the other sets in this novel. It offers an interesting counter-point in perspective.

I'll review [b:Green Darkness|1076795|Green Darkness|Anya Seton|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1203105034s/1076795.jpg|3222827] by [a:Anya Seton|18930|Anya Seton|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1224813438p2/18930.jpg] one of these days to show the difference between a Historical Romance / Bodice Ripper and a Historical Fiction Romance. Both [b:Green Darkness|1076795|Green Darkness|Anya Seton|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1203105034s/1076795.jpg|3222827] and this book are excellent and deserve high praise.

This was written as a counterpoint to my review of [b:The Traitor's Wife|6047149|The Traitor's Wife A Novel of the Reign of Edward II|Susan Higginbotham|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388720058s/6047149.jpg|6572228] by [a:Susan Higginbotham|260080|Susan Higginbotham|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1232260330p2/260080.jpg].

(June 2011) ( )