At The King's Command
By: Susan Wiggs
Paperback: 375 pages
Publisher: MIRA Books 2009 (Updated from original publication CIRCLE IN THE WATER published by Harper Collins 1994)
ISBN: 9780778327387
Book 1 of the Tudor Rose Trilogy
Brief Summary: Frustrated by his own failures at matrimony, King Henry VIII punishes an insolent nobleman by commanding him to marry the vagabond woman caught stealing his horse. Stephen de Lacey is a cold and bitter widower, long accustomed to the sovereign's capricious and malicious whims. He regards his new bride as utterly inconvenient...though undeniably fetching. But Juliana Romanov is no ordinary thief - she is a Russian princess forced into hiding by the traitorous cabal who slaughtered her family. One day she hopes to return to Muscovy to seek vengeance. What begins as a mockery of marriage ultimately blossoms into deepest love.
Genre: Romance, Historical Romance
Romance Characteristics:
- Evocative, emotional tone that draws readers in as they participate in this love story and read towards a emotionally satisfying happy ending. By the end of this book, Juliana gets both the happy ending and her revenge!
- Stephen de Lacey's character is the typical male romance lead. He is tall and intimidating with blond hair and a handsome face. He comes across as strong and distant but learns to open his heart again to Juliana. Juliana's character is the typical female lead in a romance novel. She is beautiful but also bright and independent. She could live happily ever after without Stephen but follows her heart instead.
- Stephan and Juliana have all kinds of misunderstandings throughout this book. At times they were humorous and other times brought tears to my eyes. However, these misunderstandings are resolved and they both get their happy ending.
- Although this book is a fast and easy read, it can be put down and started again without losing any of the story line.
Pace: Leisurely
Tone: Funny, Moving
Writing Style: Lush, Witty
Series Information: This is the first book in the series. Book 2 is titled The Maiden's Hand and book 3 is titled At The Queen's Summons.
Read-A-Likes:
- Velvet Promise by Jude Deveraux
- Almost Innocent by Jane Feather
- The Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
- Two Dukes of Wyndham by Julia Quinn
- Darling Jasmine by Bertrice Small
I love historical fiction, and even though I'm not always the biggest fan of romance, this one is set in the right time period to make me interested! I think I'll have to check this one out! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteNice job - I like that you even said it would be ok to put down & remember where you had left off!
ReplyDelete