19th Century Balkan Romance - A Great One!I first discovered Iris Johansen when I read The Magnificent Rogue--a truly excellent historical romance. I then read Midnight Warrior that didn't reach that standard (and reviewed it as such). I say that so you know I don't always give her 5 stars. But I just don't understand the low reviews on this one. I thought it was excellent.Set in the years 1809 to 1812 in the Barkans and England, it tells the story of Marianna Sanders who is from a Balkan family in which the women for generations have preserved the fine are of stained glass that captures the sun and the heart. Her grandmother's stained glass windows graced some of the most beautiful chapels in Eastern Europe. Her mother was gifted as well and Marianna's early talent portends greatness from her. Born to loving parents, at 16, the young fair haired beauty and her 4 year old brother Alex are orphaned when her mother is killed by the evil Duke of Nebrov who wanted the secret of the Jedalar, a map contained within the Window to Heaven, a large stained glass window that graced the church in Montavia her native country in the Balkans. Alone and starving, Marianna and Alex go to the church only to find the precious window shattered by Nebrov's attack. There in the church she encounters Jordan Draken the English Duke of Cambaron who has mysterious ties to the Balkans and has come to the church hoping to obtain the window. When he realizes who Marianna is, he lures her to his camp and decides to take her to England. Soon Marianna is desired by Jordan not only for her ability to recreate the Window to Heaven and give him the Jedalar but also because he is wildly attracted to the intelligent and beautiful young woman who beats him at chess and banters with him unlike the boring women he has often had in his bed. Hunted by Nebrov and pursued by Jordan, Marianna has to survive on her wits and her talents--and she does. For three years she and Alex live at Cambaron where she designs windows of stained glass for the old castle and during that time she is protected from the desire of Jordan by Gregor, a gentle giant of a man who has guided Jordan into doing what is right by Marianna.I liked the characters and thought Johansen did a masterful job of developing them. Jordan was a man who, like his father before him, engaged in a life of debauchery until he found a greater purpose in saving a Balkan kingdom from Napoleon. Marianna was an amazing girl and then a young woman who had incredible strength of character. She was courageous, unselfish, caring and committed to the promise she had made to her mother concerning the Jedalar. The love between her and Jordan grows slowly and each hides that truth deep inside even as they cannot deny the passion raging between them. There is a wonderful side story of the love between Gregor and a woman named Ana (who comes in later in the story) that adds a richness to the ending. The historical times are well portrayed and the action flowed continually. It was a page turner and held my interest. I recommend it as one of Johansen's good historical novels. Well worth the read.
I've had this ebook for quite sometime, and I kept delaying to read it because some of negative reviews I've seen. But I got curious after reading the positive reviews especially those who gave this book five stars. Now I'm glad, because this book just great. What interested me almost immediately was the way Jordan and Marianna interacted, how they matched wit to wit. I loved Jordan's dry humor and Marianna strong personality. And the seduction was hot! I may find it ruthless (did I just use the word ruthless? Have I finally reading too much Harlequin? Nah, there's no such thing as too much Harlequin) and off putting if I didn't think Mariana could handle it. A lesser woman would immediately dropped her panties the moment Jordan flick his queued hair, but not Marianna. She put a good fight and still had her way at the moment of surrender. To some, her age (16 yo) when Jordan started to lust after her may seemed disturbing but the setting was early 1800, so it's not unusual for a girl of her age, even younger, was considered woman enough to receive men's attention. And to Jordan's credit, he didn't act on his lust until Marianna was 19 yo. For once I can see why this hero didn't celibate for the heroine, because for Jordan to suddenly pining over her and stopped his bedroom activity before he acknowledge his feeling for Mariana was more than just lust would be so out of character of him I wouldn't have believed it.And the side characters were great too. I adored Gregor. And I feel the tragic of Dorothy, don't we all sometimes still trapped in the rules we thought we've freed of? Ana and Alex were also well developed. Even the background story of not-quite-historical was engaging. All in all it's a great read, and now I need to buy a chair for my workroom.
I don't read a lot of romance, but someone was searching for this book, and their fond description piqued my interest. The plot, overall was a bit lacking. The main characters had exaggerated personalities while everyone else was flat, and the descriptions were downright ridiculous at times. "Dark hair tied back in a queue, a long face, a glimmer of green eyes..." Yes, she can see a glimmer of green eyes across the room in a darkened church.Our "Beloved Scoundrel" is a sexy, intense womanizer. The heroine is a girl of sixteen. Jordan Draken's (like the name? heh heh) attempts to keep himself from taking the girl to his bed make up about half the story. The other half? Perhaps you should read to find out.As you can see, overall the book is nothing all that notable. However, for a romance novel, I would say that the Beloved Scoundrel was on the high side of average.Now that I'm married, and I allow myself to read sex scenes, (yes, call me a prude if you will) I have come to a conclusion about romance novels. They have two limited purposes in this world: One, you can rip them up and use them to start a cozy campfire (which you can read other, better books in the light of) or Two, you can read them to bolster the romance in your life. It's your choice, but if you want a book for the second of the two purposes, this one was light and enjoyable enough. Otherwise, pick one up at your local Goodwill and sit down by the fire with something that contains a bit more... depth.
—Abby
All in all, this balances out to a pretty OK book. The mystery of the Jedalar is interesting and creates a good point of friction between Marianna and Jordan. Also, Marianna's facility with stained glass was a good inclusion and her standing as a master craftsman contrasts with the a regency notion that she has a hobby (Dorothy is a bit much, IMO, but she serves a point). Good historical work. The plot did drag though at times. Yes, we know that Jordan totally has the hots for Marianna, yes, neither of them tell the truth because neither of them trust each other, yes, Jordan can be a dick. It seemed to go around ad nauseum. But I did like the ending. (The ravin was a bit much with her story laid over Marianna and Jordan's. As was the Duke of Diamonds bit. Could have done without that visual)
—Melissa
First, I have to tell you, Iris Johansen is another author whom, in the past, I ate up everything written by her. Loved her intense heroes and the loved the way she expressed his need of the heroine. I remember lapping this one up the first time I read it and even the second time! This time, I had a tough time with it. The hero falls in lust with the heroine when she’s sixteen and though they never give his age, I’m guessing to be thirties. (In real life? Ewwwwww!) Granted he doesn’t act on the lust until she’s “of age”, but ewwwwww! I have to give that I still loved the heroine. Marianna is strong, driven, and not given to submit easily. In the end she's a great match for The Duke of Diamonds, but the problem is getting past the beginning.When I look back, I realize I was fairly young when I read these books the first time. I wasn’t as jaded and accepted the fantasy, because to not accept it, was to not accept some of my favorite authors.My how things have changed.Still, it's a good story. Way better than some of the boring crap out there right now in the hist/rom genre. just sayin
—Zeek
