Juliean M. (jools) reviewed on 4/16/2010

I was very disappointed with this book. It's not that it was poorly written it was a matter of discovering it was more than loosely based on one of my all-time favorite books by Katherine Woodiwiss: "The Wolf And The Dove" written sometime in the 70's, indeed it was my first "grown-up romance" that my mother gave me.

I could have forgiven Tabke for borrowing the plot, but I found myself by page 30, running for my bookshelf to find that tattered original from so long ago, to make sure my mind wasn't playing tricks on me. I was dismayed to find that it was so closely aligned to Woodiwiss' as to have the same sort of characters. Strike One....

Heres my take on Tabkes rip-off

Wodoiwiss version Tabke Rip-off
Wulfgar Bastard knight, rt hand man of William Rohan Bastard Knight, rt hand man of Wm
Hot Saxon wench Aislinn Hot Saxon wench Isabel,(Spanish name?)
Nasty Norman Ragnor who seeks both keep Nasty Norman Henri who seeks both keep & maid & maid
Raiders killing and burning as vehicle to Raiders killing and burning as vehicle move plot along. to move plot along.
Duel to the death between Wulfgar/Ragnor Duel to the death between Rohan/Henri

This is only the beginning of the PLAGUE-rization of Woodiwiss' original, the subplots with the arrival of bad family members and the heroine being the ONLY one to know how to wield the tansies and cobwebs..jeeez-louise..

But possible the worst aspect is the fact that it seemed Tabke didnt bother to research the era. I found 14th Century words in this 11th century story along with modern phraseology. Maybe Im just bitching because I feel Tabke ruined such a beautifully written romance that actually felt and sounded like the 11th century. I want to tell everyone to save their money and scrounge up Woodiwiss instead.

I'm giving it a D- for lack of original work. Jools

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