Enchanted

Glad I finished this trilogy and got to see Simon’s journey with Ariane. None of these guys really deserve these women though, and the ending here was just as abrupt as the others. I feel as though the magic represented here took precedence over any character arcs because I would have loved to learn more about Ariane’s Learned gift rather than how wretched most of the men here are. Also it was difficult to deal with the fact that the entire premise was focused around a rape. Final thought is wondering why Erik doesn’t get a story (unless he does, and my library doesn’t have it).

This fantastical romance set during the reign of Henry I in England/Scotland showcased a strong pair of lovers who must overcome misunderstandings to find true love. Ariane is forced into a marriage with Simon--but because of her past she is deathly afraid of the wedding bed. Simon fortunately is not the type to force himself on her--but neither does he treat her with the tenderness she needs. Will these two come together--and will the magic in Ariane's clothes and the land around them help them?
Good solid romance with plenty of tension, and an interesting landscape with a touch of fantasy. If thst's what you like, read it.

This is the third in a series, with the romance having been set up in the previous books. Simon volunteers to marry Ariane to allow his friend, who had been betrothed to her, to marry the woman he loves (see Forbidden). While his friend and brother see it as a sacrifice, as Ariane is melancholy and repeated states she wants nothing to do with marriage, the truth is Simon as wanted her since he first saw her. The problem is Ariane is petrified of marriage because, before the book started, she was drugged and raped, and then condemned by her father.

All and all, it was well handled. Ariane’s shame and lack of trust was reasonable, as was her reaction to Simon’s physical attentions. There was enough keeping Simon and Ariane apart, most show more of which would work out fine if they would just talk.

The “learned cloth” that made up Ariane’s wedding dress, which she wears a lot, was a little much for me at points. A strip was taken off the bottom, but it was never shorter. It was cut in the side, but it wasn’t ruined, the cut in the cloth just disappeared as far as I could tell. It was explained as being magical, but still. It didn’t throw me from the story, but I did roll my eyes a few times. show less

Uninteresting, overwrought dynamic between the lovers.

The BEST in this series. Ariane and Simon deserve a HEA.

Rendezvous Review: (Editor's Note: This book is a sequel to FORBIDDEN and UNTAMED.) Ariane Deguerre is to be married to Simon, not because of any great love but because it was agreed that these two families should unite, and as Duncan, her father's first choice for a husband, already has his true love, Simon agrees to marry her to keep the peace. This doesn't prove to be an easy union. These two must work out their own personal difficulties at the same time that outside influences are trying to wreck havoc on their marriage and the peace of the land. Before her emotional trauma, Ariane had the power to "see" things such as lost objects. Now, this power is gone; however, with each step toward harmony she and Simon make, she feels the show more return of some part of that power. Adventure, intrigue, conspiracy, mystic powers, romance, passion -- do any of those interest you? How about regular every day woman to man relationships? Got you yet? How about tenderness and a love beyond all reason? That did it, right? Then don't miss this wonderful tale written by one of the best there is -- Elizabeth Lowell. Joyce Parrish show less

"Io non ho un cuore." Sono parole pesanti, amare, soprattutto perché pronunciate con la massima obiettività.
Sono parole che non stupiscono nessuno: la nobile normanna Ariane è fredda come il ghiaccio, impassibile come la pietra. Le sue emozioni più profonde e nascoste trovano voce solo negli accordi dell'arpa che lei suona meravigliosamente.
Null'altro di ciò che prova, di ciò che pensa o del misterioso evento che l'ha profondamente ferita trapela dalle sue frasi o dai suoi gesti.
Gli uomini le ispirano ripugnanza e diffidenza, il contatto fisico la disgusta al punto da farle quasi preferire la morte a qualsiasi amplesso.
Eppure, nonostante questo, Ariane la Tradita entro sera dovrà convolare a nozze per stipulare un'alleanza che show more riporti un po' di pace nelle turbolente Terre Contese, nel nord dell'Inghilterra.
Anche il forte e valoroso guerriero che diventerà suo marito considera quegli sponsali un obbligo necessario, un tributo dovuto al suo popolo; dopotutto, Simon il Leale deve tener fede a tanto nome.
Tuttavia, il sacrificio non gli sarà certo eccessivo: Ariane lo attrae, lo eccita, accendendogli i sensi. Quanto all'amore... be', quella è proprio roba da stupidi!
Lui ha già pagato a caro prezzo lo sconsiderato attaccamento a una donna, ed è ben determinato a non ricascare mai più nel medesimo errore.
Date tali premesse, è lecito supporre che il matrimonio non parta sotto i migliori auspici, mentre invece prende bene l'avvio questa vicenda sensuale e avventurosa, romantica e avvincente, che si dipana tra traversie di ogni genere sullo sfondo della lontana e inquieta Inghilterra di re Enrico I. show less