Helpful Score: 3
Sometimes you just want a quick romance read...but this one wasn't one of those! I spent the day reading it, so it can be read quickly but the story line required some focus and the romance was really pretty secondary to the rest of the story. If you are one that likes a simple story with lets of sex then this book is not for you. I enjoyed it however and I really enjoyed the completely different storyline. I believe I will look for the sequel to this book as well as hope for a spin off of another character she mentions in the storyline. It really had a little bit of everything and I really enjoyed the characters. Interesting reading overall...
Helpful Score: 1
If medieval romance with a strong hero and even stronger heroine, try this one set in the time of the Crusades of King Richard and Saladin. Thea, a beautiful young Frank, has been a slave in an embroidery house all her life. Desperate to avoid the soul destroying future she sees for herself and her younger sister, she escapes and joins a caravan going to Damascus, planning to set up her own silk business with a precious basket of silkworms she has taken and then send for her sister. Set upon by Arab raiders, all in the caravan are killed except Thea. After walking in the desert for days, she is rescued by an unlikely hero, Lord Ware, a Scot with a secret that marks him for death and any who are with him. He doesn't want to help her; she is determined to follow her plans. The author skillfully makes you see that each one's actions are understandable if not always reasonable. The plot has many twists and turns with an unexpected ending that was just right. There is a sequel called The Treasure about Thea's sister Selene and an unusual young assassin named Kadar.
Helpful Score: 1
The story was good. The characters were well drawn but I would have liked a little more background or insight into why they did things the way they did. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
Helpful Score: 1
This was my first Johnansen book and I was impressed enough to go searching for more of her stuff.
It is a very sweeping romance, exotic. I enjoyed the slow progression of friendship between Ware and Thea. Thea is extrememly strong, smart, and resourceful. I loved all the characters and there is humor to keep things going. There were some political aspects that were harder for me to follow but it didn't take away from the story.
Very good read.
It is a very sweeping romance, exotic. I enjoyed the slow progression of friendship between Ware and Thea. Thea is extrememly strong, smart, and resourceful. I loved all the characters and there is humor to keep things going. There were some political aspects that were harder for me to follow but it didn't take away from the story.
Very good read.
