Somewhat gnarly in places
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This anthology features four romantic tales set in the Middle Ages; stories of women whose lives are changed by a tapestry which draws them to their destined mate.
To Kiss The Shadows by Lynn Kurland
Lianna of Grasleigh may be the richest heiress in England; however her pox marked face attracts few friends or admirers until she catches the attention of eligible bachelor Kendrick of Artane and soon finds herself the target of malicious, almost life threatening acts. Yet it is not Kendrick whom Lianna falls in love with but his younger brother Jason; a man reputed to excel in the dark arts. Unfortunately as the youngest of the 3 Artane brothers, King Henry is hardly likely to approve their match.
This book is awarded 3 stars due solely to the wonderful "brotherly affection" displayed between Kendrick and Jason. Constantly trading amusing insults, their verbal sparring saved this otherwise average story.
3 stars
Interrupted Tapestry by Madeline Hunter
Not only has her brother Reginald managed to deplete their meagre wealth, Giselle soon learns that when he disappears, only the princely sum of £100 will ensure his safe return. Knowing only one man rich enough to loan her the money, Giselle approaches Andreas Von Bremen, an old friend of her brother's until he abruptly severed all ties with their family 4 years earlier. Discovering that even her beloved tapestry has been pledged to Andreas without her knowledge, Giselle also soon learns of other things her roguish brother pledged to Andreas.
I was left rather confused with this story as it certainly was not as "Middle Agey" as the other three in this anthology. Although I have since discovered it contains obviously researched references to Middle Age trading, "Interrupted Tapestry" doesn't have the Mediaeval feel the other 3 stories contain; perhaps because it is set in a London street rather than a sprawling castle or Saxon village.
3 stars
Dragonswan by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Historical researcher Dr Channon MacRae has always loved the mysterious Dragon Tapestry, an ancient masterpiece depicting the births and battles of a dragon and warrior. Approached by the devastatingly attractive Sebastien Kattalakis, a man who honestly admits he intends to steal the tapestry, Channon soon learns he is more than he appears. What Sebastien doesn't admit is that he intends to retrieve his rightful property, as the dragon tapestry was spun by his sister in the 7th century. Spending the night with Channon, when Sebastien realise he has met his mate, he has no choice but to take her home to protect her from his enemies. Their home.... Saxon England, with a glorious sprawling countryside just perfect for his dragon form.
I love SK; however even as a die hard fan, her Were-Hunter and Dream-Hunter stories just don't measure up to her wonderful Dark-Hunters. Although "Dragonswan" was my personal favourite in this anthology, I'd take a brooding, soulless Dark-Hunter over a shape shifter any time.
4 stars
Into The Dreaming by Karen Marie Moning
Tricked into servitude by the Unseelie King, Aedan McKinnon soon learns his 5 years in Faery is actually 500 in the mortal world. Released to the Isle of Skye in 1427 as part of his bargain, Aedan is now the Unseelie king's icy assassin, a man with no remaining humanity. In present day Indiana, Jane Sillee receives yet any rejection from a publishing house. A woman who finds living in the modern world difficult, Jane tries to live without modern conveniences. Having dreamt of a dark haired man named Aedan for most of her life also doesn't help; as no modern man could possibly compare to her wonderful Highlander. Transported to the Isle of Skye by the Seelie Queen, Jane has only until the next full moon to make her dream lover remember her. Unfortunately Aedan appears somewhat resistant to the idea of even talking to her let alone touching her and retains no knowledge of how intimate they have become in their dreams.
Again some amusing incidents save this story, namely Aedan's confusion over his bodily responses to Jane; however the Faery aspect seemed almost unnecessary to the plot.
3 stars
Historical romance is one of my least favourite genres; however any book containing a Sherrilyn Kenyon story is automatically purchased. I'm also not a big fan of the Faerie world; unless written firmly tongue in cheek with oodles of humour (something on the lines of Sahara Kelly's "Wicked Wings" collection) so found "Tapestry" a somewhat tedious read in parts; and I don't think this was solely down to my personal tastes. If on the other hand you want to be swept away by chivalrous, sexy knights and their courting of chaste, honourable women, then this book will certainly suit. I for one prefer sassier heroines, a generous dollop of verbal sparring between leading lovers and an action packed story line with my romance.
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Some good, some... not so good!
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This book is a collection of four short stories, written by different writers. Consequently, it is unlikely that they would all appeal equally to the reader.
More specifically:
a) Lynn Kurland's "To kiss in the shadows" is by far the most entertaining of them all. The story was fast paced, interesting, and fun to read. I caught myself laughing very often! Initially I wasn't sure I liked the heroine's physical problem, but fortunately it wasn't overdone. I don't like it when romance authors take their stories too seriously (like Feehan's pompous style, for example). Given the limitations of a short story, this was quite well developed overall.
b) M.Hunter's "An Interrupted Tapestry" was good, but could have been better. Left me with rather mixed feelings. I liked Andreas very much, but I feel he was underdeveloped. Now, he was supposed to be aloof as a character, that is true, but still... Giselle didn't seem any interesting to me. Overall, a rather pleasant story.
c) I was really looking forward to reading Sherrilyn Kenyon's story, because I've read so many of her Dark Hunter stories, but I was very disappointed. The story starts interestingly (loved the dragon comment!), but then the story evolved to the typical plain-fat-girl-attracts-gorgeous-man-can't-believe-her-luck thing, which I seriously find annoying. Can't there for once the heroine be a good looking and self-confident woman who is accustomed to attracting her fair share of men? Do all women have such low self-image? I don't know... The Greek language could have been handled more carefully. Historians would probably have something to say about her portrayal of castle life, but this is fiction after all. To summarize: very mediocre.
d) Moning's "Into the Dreaming", was better, but I have mixed feelings about it. Some parts of the story were entertaining, others boring. Personally, being a tech-girl, couldn't sympathise with the heroine's dislike of modern life and easy acceptance to living in the middle ages. But others may have a different opinion, it's a matter of taste. A little slow to read also. The Seelie/Unseelie fairies thing not to my liking either. Rather hard to swallow. But, yet again, a matter of personal taste.In conclusion: if you are a BIG fan of these writers, go ahead and buy this collection. On the other hand, if you are not, save your money. Some of their solo works are infinetely better.
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Kenyon and Moning steal the show!
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From reading various reviews, I was led to believe that Kurland and Hunter had the best stories, but I couldn't believe this, as I had read all of Kenyon's Dark Hunter books and Moning's Highlander books and was over the moon with them, because they were in short, perfect!
Kurland's story was ridiculous, the hero or heroes? were two annoying brothers and one weak female, who loves to hide in the shadows... Where's the fun in that I ask you? It was quite boring I have to say, and I found myself skipping the pages in an effort to find something to capture my interest. Sadly, I found none. Although my friends have reccomended some of her other books, I will pick them up, albeit VERY reluctantly.
Hunter's book... well, I couldn't get past the first page, maybe I should have tried harder, but it was dull. I feel horrible for trashing the first half of this novella, but it had to be done.
Now, Kenyon's 'Dragonswan' was a charming story, a tortured hero (the best kind :P) and a heroine with spark, perfect for those who had never read her Dark Hunter books and a great treat for those who have. Sebastian and Shannon with a C are a great couple and I for one, love the fantasy, the myths and the romance Kenyon weaves with such vivid imagination and skill.
Moning's offering 'Into the Dreaming' had everything I adore in a book. The book is combined with love, lust, fantasy, mythology (which is very well researched, always a pleasure to read historicals with fab background), and of course the brilliant hero and heroine. Aedan and Jane are lovely who have Aedan's past to overcome, which is a spectacular but gruesome past and very inventive and creative by the talented Moning.
Unlike the second reviewer, I would say that Moning has a definate flair for Highland stories, and I have read many, and none are as original as Moning. Read her Highland series for more proof, especially the last three in the series so far, Kiss of the Highlander, The Dark Highlander and the Immortal Highlander. I have yet not read Spell of the Highlander, but I have no doubt it will be as fantastic :)
I would say to buy this book just for the last two wonderful stories.
It is possible, that Kurland and Hunter's stories were just not to my taste and that's why I felf them to be so weighty (for lack of a better word). If you are a fan of them, then their stories might just be what puts a smile on your face, rather than Kenyon and Moning, but if you're lucky like one reviewer below, you might find you love them all :)
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A mixed-up tapestry...
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As with all anthologies, this is a mixed bunch. Lynn Kurland appears to bebilled as the star of the collection, with her mediaeval tale about theward of the king who is shunned by all the other ladies of the courtbecause - at least, I assume this is the reason - she is scarred from thepox. During one particularly nasty scene, she's saved by the interventionof a mysterious gentleman, who turns out to be Kendrick of Artane, theknight everyone wants to meet and bed. The strange thing about this storyis that it's not Kendrick who is the hero of Liana's story - it's hisbrother Jason. Now, what's the point of that? For a while, it almostlooked as if Kurland was setting up a threesome! No, made no sense.
Madeline Hunter's story about old friends meeting again when she'spoverty-stricken and he's wealthy and about to marry someone else is avery nice piece. Giselle pleads with Andreas to loan her some money, buthe won't because her brother already owes him far more money than he couldever repay. But there is one thing Giselle owns which Andreas would paylarge amounts for... her virtue.
Sherrilyn Kenyon's short story belongs with her Dark-Hunter series, and isher first were-creature story. Unlike the Katagaria in her books,Sebastian is part-human, part-dragon. He has travelled into the future to'borrow' the tapestry which Channon is studying; in order to get it fromher, he sweet-talks her and takes her to dinner. But he has reckonedwithout the Arcadian gods, who make her his mate for life... Now what canhe do?
The weakest by far in this collection is Karen Marie Morning's Scottishstory. Come on, publishers - romances with Scottish Highland charactersare just *boring*, apart from having been done to death! This one isunconvincing, and the narrative rivals the heroine's novel for purpleprose. Aeden has been kept prisoner by a faerie god (okay, start countingclichés here) for five hundred years. He's forgotten who he used to be.Jane Sillee (yes, the pun appears to be intentional by the author, butbelieve me, it fits!) has dreamed about having sex with him for most ofher life. When she is transported back into the past, she has one month tomake him remember himself and her. The dialogue here is wooden, and thenarrative alternates between eye-rollingly over the top and plain boring.Zero stars for this one, two for the Kurland, three for the Hunter, butfour for Kenyon.
wmr-uk
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More please
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This is probally the best anthology I have read for years.
Lynn Kurland was as acute as ever.Madeline Hunter delightfully
romantic.Sherrilyn Kenyon-send the next Dark Hunter round to my
house now!!!!
Karen Marie Moning.
I adored this story,but, isn't it about time Adam Ddu(Black)
Welsh spelling(Yes I am) got his come uppance!?!?!:
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