Rosehaven (Song Novels)

This review is written and ready to go online. As I prepare to enter it, I am amazed at the tremendous criticism of this book I see already posted. It is apparent my views differ greatly from some other reviewers. I tend to read a book within the context the author has created. If I don't like that author's writing style, I don't read their books again. Coulter is a writer that is on the rougher side of romance. Many would tame that by stating that her writing is politically incorrect. However, when I pick up a Coulter book, I know it is probably not going to be warm and fuzzy and it will probably contain an overly aggressive hero. And since I believe overly aggressive heroes are common then and now, I submerge myself into this different type of romance. I am not making a political statement with this review. I really enjoyed this book and am not ashamed to admit it. I liked the hero and the heroine and don't believe this writing or me to be sick. I think it was very entertaining. Now for my review in it's original form:I have only recently discovered Catherine Coulter. While I know her writing style can cause great controversy, I have found most of the four Coulter books I have read to date to be quite entertaining. I am somewhat bothered by the hero's ruthlessness in some of her books but I am also one that accepts such ruthless behavior as part of the story and can accept a tarnished man as a hero. Rosehaven is my favorite Coulter book to date. It has a delightful underlying subtle humor and both of the lead characters were well written. I especially liked the heroine, Hastings and how easily she spoke her mind without hatefulness. Usually I don't relish the presence of too many secondary characters but they were so interwoven into the overall story and lives of the hero and heroine that I found them quite interesting. Overall, I had a great time reading this book and put it down only with great reluctance. I eagerly watched for the next time I could continue reading it.Severin is the hero, a medieval knight who has performed well in the Christian Crusades and is recognized as an accomplished, courageous, and talented man. The Earl of Oxborough has chosen Severin to wed his only daughter, Hastings, claim all of the family's vast estates and riches, and continue the family line. When he first appears at Oxborough Castle, he seems an unfeeling, dominating man who definitely believes he is in charge. He does not hide his disdainful attitude towards his bride-to-be. He is wedding her to obtain lands, title, and riches and in turn will provide heirs and excellent management of the estates. At this point, I was not too crazy about Severin. He seemed totally without feelings as was well noted by Hastings as she told Severin that he had the feelings of a toad.Hastings is a vivacious and fun heroine forced into an unwanted marriage to this most insensitive man. She attempts to talk her dying father out of the forced wedding

I hated this book the first time I read it. Then I read it again and I just hated the carachters. I noticed how rich the plots and how well Coulter stirred my emotions. I hated Marjorie, I wanted to kick Sevreign, I wanted to commiserate with Hastings, and I wanted to love and laugh with the healer. Then I read the book again. It stirred my emotions again like never before. I actuall went outside to read it this time so I could yell at the characters and scream out my outrage at Marjories scheming without disturbing anyone else in the household. Then I read it again and I loved it. I cried and I laughed and I screamed while I read it this time. It is an amazing emotional book. Never a dull moment. And I absolutely loved how everything is worked out in the end. I am always one for happy endings.

Rosehaven was the first book I read of Catherine Coulter's. I was so engrossed from the first chapter on. Ms. Coulter's books seem to take a person back in time. Her explicit detail to the homes and surroundings are amazing. I feel as if I'm standing in the castle or in the bailey's. Romance is a thing today that seems very hard to find. Ms. Coulter brings forth romance in such granduer that even the most pessimist person would not be able to put down her books. Since reading Rosehaven I've read quite a number of her other books. I recently purchased 10 of her books online as well as several from our local bookstore. Not only do her books hold the greatest of romance but they are also very lively. The mystery in each one holds a person in suspense until the very last chapter. I love medevial times. If time travel were possible this is the time I would return to. A knight in shining armor is most every girl's dream. I love the way the women in Ms. Coulter's books have a mind of their own (as I do). No woman, no matter the place in time, should give up her identity just because she marries. I truly love each book I've read thus far. I do have my favorites. I adore the characters in the Song Trilogy and the Magic Trilogy. I haven't read any of the current setting books, but I'm sure they're wonderful even in this day in time. Ms. Coulter's book are an inspiration to me and let me lose myself, for just awhile, in a different century of time.

I DIDN'T WANT TO PUT THE BOOK DOWN, WANTING TO KNOW WHAT OR WHO ROSEHAVEN WAS. I LOVED HASTINGS, HOW SHE DIDN'T GIVE IN TOO EASILY TO THIS NEW HUSBAND. SHE HAD GUTS AND WAS NOT A WIMPY GIRL. I DON'T AGREE WITH RAPE, BUT BACK THEN MEN TOOK THEIR WOMEN READY OR NOT. WOMEN WERE NOT KNOWLEDGEABLE OF SEX, THE ONES WHO WERE LADIES. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT 1200 AND THINGS WERE NOT ALL HUGS & KISSES AND APPLEPIE. WOMEN DIDN'T HAVE A PLACE OTHER THAN TO PRODUCE AND HEIR FOR THE LORDS'S OF THE MANOR. THEY WANTED SON'S. I HATED MARJORIE, I NEW SHE WAS UPTO NO GOOD, SLY WITCH, KILLING WAS A WAY OF LIFE, LIKE BEATING THE WIFE TO DEATH FOR BEING WITH ANOTHER MAN. TRIST MADE SEVERIN KIND AND SWEET, BUT HE HAD AN IMAGE TO WITHHOLD TO RULE ALL THOSE MEN AND THAT MUCH LAND HE COULDN'T LOOK LIKE A MEAR WOMEN COULD RUN HIM BY HIS NOSE. IT SHOWED HOW PRIM-EVIL THE TIMES WERE. I ENJOYED THE LUSTY PARTS AND LAUGHTED WHEN THE WOMEN SKEEMED TOGETHER. REALLY ENJOYED WHEN HASTINGS HAD HER FIGHT WITH MARJORIE. THE HEALER WAS SO INTERESTING AND THAT SHE WAS SO IMPORTANT IN EVERYONE'S LIFE. I'M ENJOYING HER BOOKS VERY MUCH. CAN'T WAIT TO START THE NEXT ONE.

I HAVE to say, I disagree with the reviews I am seeing here about this book. I found it engaging and fun to read. I DO agree the title is a bit irrelevant, but the story, on the whole, is well done. I feel those negative comments are written by people who want to take modern characters, actions and attitudes, and put them in a castle and call THAT a historical novel. By the way, the author never proclaims rape as "right", but she does show that the hero in the story would have considered it so, as IN THOSE DAYS she would have been considered property. Catherine Coulter makes her stories as real and believable as she can, so if reality bothers you, don't read this. Otherwise, I think you'll find it a great read!