Julie Garwood
Pocket Books
374 Pages
Published December 1987
Paperback
Medieval Romance
ISBN: 978-0-671-73782-5
Synopsis
1099. In the feuding English court, gentle Lady madelyn suffered the cruel whims of her ruthless brother, Baron Louddon. Then, in vengeance for a bitter crime, Baron Duncan of Wexton -- the Wolf -- unleased his warriors against Louddon's main. Exquisite Madelyne was the prize he captured ... but when he gazed upon the proud beauty, he pledged to protect her with his life. In his rough-hewn castle, Cuncan proved true to his honor. But when at last their noble passion conquered them both, she surrendered with all her soul. Now, for love, Madelyn would stand fast ... as bravely as her Lord, the powerful Wolf who fought for Honor's Splendour.
1099. In the feuding English court, gentle Lady madelyn suffered the cruel whims of her ruthless brother, Baron Louddon. Then, in vengeance for a bitter crime, Baron Duncan of Wexton -- the Wolf -- unleased his warriors against Louddon's main. Exquisite Madelyne was the prize he captured ... but when he gazed upon the proud beauty, he pledged to protect her with his life. In his rough-hewn castle, Cuncan proved true to his honor. But when at last their noble passion conquered them both, she surrendered with all her soul. Now, for love, Madelyn would stand fast ... as bravely as her Lord, the powerful Wolf who fought for Honor's Splendour.
Summary:
Lady Madelaine through the past years has suffered greatly at the hands of her brother, and has finally planned her escape from him. But on the day that plans on leaving her brother captures Baron Duncan of Wexton. And through a small act of kindness, an act that could have gotten her killed, she rescues him from being frozen to death, and even though Duncan knew his men were scaling the walls, in effort to locate the one woman who has landed right in his lap for the taking as revenge for what her brother did to him. So he takes Madelyne, even though she is more than willing to go along with him, but she plans to run away to find her relative that lives in Scotland. But the more time Madelyne is in her captors hands, the stronger her feelings have become towards him. A man who needs her love and her heart.
The Hero (Duncan of Wexton, Baron)
Duncan is desperate for revenge against Louddon (Madelyne's brother) for taking his sister and her ended up being beaten and violently raped. His plan is to take from Louddon, his sister just like his sister was taken from him. So what started out as revenge for Duncan, turned to possessiveness to have this woman and keep her. Duncan is very proud and a powerful warrior, and rumored as the "Wolf" and is very protective of his family and those that serve under him. At first he knows Madelyne is different from other women he has met, she is frustrating and he is always having to save her from close calls, and she nearly drives him crazy, but he also realizes how much he loves her.
The Heroine (Lady Madelyne)
Madelyne growing up always tried to be good enough so that her father and then her brother would come to love her, but it never happens. Her brother loved to abuse and frighten her, and turn her into someone that would always obey him. But Madelyne was determined to free Duncan, even though it was a great risk to herself, and that she could be killed because of it. Madelyne is a loving and caring young woman, one who has a strong spirit filled with courage and vitality, only needs someone to bring it out in her, which after she gets captured by Duncan, is exactly what happens. Her true self comes out, someone that won't let fear run her life anymore. When Madelyn realizes how much she fears Duncan less and less and starts to genuinely care for him, she knows she is falling in love with him, and knows she can be just as strong and determined as he is to keep what is his.
My Thoughts
Honor's Splendor is a wonderful book by Julie Garwood. It takes place in 1099 and I just love this time period, such a romantic period in history, and I love Medieval romances, and this one just took my breath away. I think I was charmed after the first chapter, I just loved how Madelyne saves the one man that is determined to take her captive, even though she really doesn't mind it as long as he takes her away from her brutal brother. We see a story that will make you laugh yet still end up being a tender romance that will leave you aching for more by the last page. I have truly enjoyed reading Julie Garwood's historicals, and this one I definitely want to end up buying, a well worth it read!!! A Classic romance that will pull at your heartstrings, and make you wonder where your "Wolf" is, I know I do LOL A Fabulous read!!!
My Favorite Quote
Before she could even think about pulling away, he looped the belt around her wrist and bound her hands together. And then he spoke "I didn't come for Louddon, Madelyne. I came for you"
My Grade On This Book
4 Blossoms
