“A MASTER STORYTELLER.” –RT Book Reviews The willful and beautiful Lady Genevieve would do anything to save her beloved Edenby Castle . . . even if she had to share the name—and bed–of her most treacherous foe . . . He was Lord Tristan, nobleman and knight. Magnificent in battle, he would lead his invading army across the land, only to become captive to the sensual charms of the bold … captive to the sensual charms of the bold enchantress who was secretly plotting his destruction . . .
They were born to be enemies and destined to be lovers—players in a perilous game of intrigue and passion where the price was one woman’s innocence . . . and the prize was one man’s heart.
more
The story is set in the early Tudor time period where males were the dominating members and the females the follow through. Henry was surprisingly a ‘nice’ character here, for without his demands and his input the main characters would be in ruin. It was surprising considering the top food chain leaders always come and scatter the good times.
Lie Down In Roses is a revenge plot romance, where both the H and h has their families murdered and brought together when their hatred makes them do unspeakable things to each other.
He,
‘He clenched his teeth and turned to stare with sudden distaste at the woman who stood so quietly behind him. Her silver eyes promised battle and defiance, never tenderness; though her voice was laced with sweetness, her words had a biting edge.’
She,
‘He smiled at her again, a distant, mocking smile, as if he were totally indifferent to her. He despised her, she realized, with a dangerously controlled hatred, leashed beneath a cordial demeanor.’
Genevieve Llewellyn and Tristan de la Tere tale began when both of them are at their downs. Genevieve’s family was believed to be murdered by the enemy. Tristan returned one day home to have his family, wife and unborn child murdered. Both of them are from different sides and loyalties lies else where. Under Henry’s orders Tristan is to own Genevieve’s household for there is no male member. Genevieve not a Henry supporter was not easily giving up, she agrees to be his mistress, manipulates him and (not) kills Tristan, unfortunately he is not dead and returns back with vengence.
‘So . . .” he murmured, staring at her quite frankly, “you intend to keep your promise?” “Promise . . . ?” she murmured blankly, and again he hiked a dark brow, and his lip curled slightly with amusement. “Your promise, Genevieve. To entertain and delight . . . and please me.” “Ah … of course,” she murmured uneasily. He smiled. “You should be warned, milady. Well and truly warned. You’ll not break a promise to me,” he said softly.’
Tristan was really cruel. He locks Genevieve in her chamber and makes her hold the promise of being his mistress. She is heartbroken for everything that belongs to her is owned by other. She fights back, tries to escape and eventually her punishments get stricter. She believes Tristan murdered her family (in battle) and won’t become his lover. Tristan can be brutal, his past influences him in many stances and for Genevieve’s sake I hated him at times. Tristan is a hardened character.
‘He was the enemy; she was the conquered prize. She could never be more; she was simply a captive kept now in her own residence, and useful there—for the time.’
Genevieve started as a firecracker but she tamed as the story progresses. I can’t understand why can’t the characters open their mouth to explain when they are falsely accused of something. My frustation with Genevieve is that. Her future is bleak and she has fallen in love with her enemy who won’t love or marry her.
“Aye, we were blessed.” He nuzzled her head. “But what shall I do now, love? I have no walls behind which to hold my errant, wild rose of a wife. ”Genevieve smiled, rolling her head against his chest to glance up into his features. “You have needed no walls to hold me, milord, for a long, long time now. There are delicate chains about my heart that tie me to you forever.”
I like this story how it defined roses and wars – very sensual and brutal. You can expect a cruel hero from beginning to end. This is my reread and I took away a star because I lost the thrill of the book and didn’t enjoyed as I did the first time. I wouldn’t want you to miss this, Shannon Drake/Heather Graham’s historicals, it’s a must read.