Beguiled

This is the sequel to Devoted, Alice Borchardt's historical novel set in medieval France. In this installment, Elin is left to defend a the city of Chantilon which is besieged by Vikings while her common-law husband Owen (A bishop), seeks help from his family. Can Owen save his city or is it doomed to fall into the hands of Haakon and his band of evil raiders? I really enjoyed the audio narration of Beguiled. Borchardt really made early France come alive in this surprising narration of murder/mystery/and romantic suspense. In particular, I like how she handles such a large cast of characters, and still manages to keep things interesting. There are precisely three main story plots going on in this book. Owen's Quest. Haakon and Elspeth (the pseudo-villains), and Elin and her group. Somehow, Borchardt manages to keep all three stories interesting (although I admit I was less interested in Owen's issues than in the other two). I also thought Borchardt did an excellent job of portraying the redemption of a few of the most evil characters (such as the berserker). My only peeve? I felt that Owen, was a little boring. Thank god for his Saxon sidekick or I might've fast-forwarded his scenes. He was a good character... But a trifle wooden. I highly recommend the audio version which was quite well narrated. Well worth the price as there are MANY hours of listening.

This sequel to "Devoted" is every bit as wonderful. The characters seem to come alive, and what characters they are too! This novel has almost everything. Action (great battle scenes), love (very tasteful sex scenes), and humour in good doses. I found myself laughing out loud more than once. And there is also magic and fantasy, although not enough to make it a fantasy novel. Just enough to make those times seem very magical and mystical. There is also the clash of religion, pagan and Christian, but what shows through in the end is that good will always prevail over evil, and through love and kindness, evil can be turned into good. This is a wonderfully engrossing book....recommended.

I just loved this book,it so romantic how owen and elin are so much in love,that in the book owen refused to take Gynneth when she lied almost naked on her bed,and told Elutides that he could not take her because he had a wife,and that she pleases him well. Also how owen says to himself of how much he misses,and loves elin. I turly hope that you countiue this tale of the two lovers,because I just think this book is so great! I read it over and over agin,I couldnt put it down. You turly are a great storyteller.

I WAS CAPTURED AND OVERWHELMED BY THIS STORY OF EVIL,LOVE,HATE AND PURE HONESTY OF ROMANCE. I WISH I LIVED IN A TIME SO PROFOUND AND TRUE. I'M WAITING FOR THE SERIES TO CONTINUE.

Alice Borchardt once again proves that she's the one who received all of the writing talent in the family, not her sister Anne Rice. With this second novel she has her faithful fans once again wrapped up in the world of medieval France, barely out of the dark ages. Her feminist herione Elin must this time face the possible loss of her improbably lusty bishop husband, this time to another woman. Anyone who likes their historical novels loaded with tons of sex and battle scenes, as well as betrayals, witchcraft, and the like, will love this book. And if you don't, you need to read it again.