Honor's Splendour

I am not going explain the plot synopsis since other reviewers have done that very well. I will say this is one book that I go back to read time and again. After reading it once more, I wanted to review it though I find it almost hard to do justice to! The heroine (Madelyne) is strong without losing any of her femininity. The hero (Duncan) remains true to his character - honorable, yet tough. Each is enhanced by the other's strengths. Madelyne needs Duncan's strength to protect and boost her own self confidence. Duncan needs Madelyn's joy to help him become spontaneous and less rigid. I am always entranced by these two people! This book is filled with wonderful, touching and funny moments from beginning to end. Amongst my favorites are Madelyn mistaking Duncan's brother Edmund for a Cyclops when suffering a fever and the scene when all believe she is about to be run down by Duncan's huge horse! But, there are so many memorable moments - I don't want to spoil it for you! Wonderful secondary characters. So many that I cannot even name them all - although the other brothers (Edmund and Gilard) deserve books of their own, I don't think that Garwood went on to do that. Duncan's sister and Madelyn's Uncle were also engaging characters. The backdrop of visits to court and battles are so well described you find yourself right in the center of action. There are horrible villains (Madelyn's brother is just one of them) and yet another romance to concentrate on. This is one of those sweeping romances that you do not soon forget. Worth obtaining!

As a first time reader of Julie Garwood, I was quite impressed by "Honor's Splendour". I've always enjoyed historical and period stories and this story is right up my alley. The heroine is both strong and kind and the hero is dashing and passionate. The story begins in England, in 1099 in the feuding court of King William. Baron Duncan of Wexton, the Wolf, has vowed revenge on Baron Louddon after he discovers that the Louddon raped his young sister Adela while she was in the King's court. Duncan travels to Louddon's castle under what he thinks is a truece when he is captured and set out to freeze to death. Louddon's sister, Madelyne rescues Duncan and then finds herself Duncan's hostage. Louddon's castle is burned and Duncan, along with his hostage and his army begin their journey back home. Madelyne, is a gentle woman who has been scorned by her father and brother all of her life. After her mother's death, she was sent to her uncle, a priest, to live. With her uncle she finds a home with love and learning. She returns home to find Louddon's feelings towards her have not changed, except for the fact that he now desires his step-sister. On the day she is taken hostage by Duncan, she had planned to escape to Scotland to live with a cousin. Now's she's the prisoner of her brother's sworn enemy, who happens to be the most handsome man she's ever met. I found this novel to be a very entertaining read. I enjoyed the transformation of Adela once Madelyne is brought into the Wexton home. Duncan's brothers, Edmond and Gilard also provide humor to the novel as well as a little competition romance-wise for Duncan. I was very impressed by Mrs. Garwood's style of writing. She's very talented and has a way of creating a character that speaks to your heart like Madelyn and Duncan. I look forward to reading more of her novels. I'd love to see some sort of trilogy involving the remaining single brothers. Just a thought...and a hint. :)

And that means a lot...because all of her book are stupendous! In this book, Lady Madelyne 'rescues' the Wolf from her brothers capture...only to find that he invaded the keep to capture her! Against her will she is dragged to a place that he calls home, and has to deal with his brother that loathes her, a sister that despises her, and dogs that simply won't keep away from the main table. You can't help but laugh at the antics of this family, and applaud the heroism shown by Lady Madelyne. A must read if you enjoy a good laugh and a "sigh-able" romance.

a wonderful romance story that you'll want to read over and over and over again. Madelyne and Duncan fit so well together! I love the parts where Madelyne would keep on doing little things, like hold on to Duncan's hand, or tell him how she would never talk to him again, or when she would cry and Duncan would be always there to be sobbed on. My favorite part in the book, is when Madelyne gets sick and she lives all her 'Greek legends'. She gives Edmond a black eye and mistakens Duncan for many characters in her legends (all heros of course!). Its very funny. The book is filled with many scenes that will make you laugh and cry. A magnificent story where all spledours are filled through honor. Julie Garwood is the best!