The Conqueror

Reading this book reminded me of why I started reading romance novels in the first place. Historical content, charater driven stories involving realistic heros and heroines caught up in real conflicts. No mistaken identity, big misunderstandings or worries about acceptance by the "ton" here. My favorite part of the book was how the Rolf zeroed in on Ceidre from the beginning and never waivered. He may not have said the words until the end of the book, but his regard for her was evident. Very romantic. Mr. Darcy has nothing on Rolf.

What a page turner, this book is filled with twists, not one moment of boredom from me. I read it in 1 day and lost lots of sleep. This book made me angry, sad, happy, laugh... had enough tender moments to make me think it truly was a "romance " novel and yet had enough "dark, awful" moments to make me think it could've been marked as a fiction too. Although the hero cheats, rapes, etc... he STILL comes across as tender, in love with the heroine... yes, it sounds bazare and if you havn't read this story you'll think I am nuts. But you just gotta read this tender and yet dark romance story to know what I mean. I highly recommend this novel.

The Conqueror was the first book I have read by Brenda Joyce. It is the type of romance often written about fifteen years ago that we do not see much today. This type of romance involves a very strong yet ruthless hero who treats the heroine very badly from time to time yet finds himself obsessed with her. The hero of The Conqueror reminds me of other ruthless, yet endearing heroes in two other books I have read from this same time period that stand among my favorites. Rolfe, the hero of The Conqueror is similar to Garrick from Johanna Lindsey's Fires of Winter or Ranulf from Nicole Jordan's The Warrior. I have written reviews on both of those books should you want a comparison. Please note - this is not a book for the weak at heart. This is strong subject matter that at times is volatile and at other times highly sensual.Ceidre is the bastard daughter of a deceased Saxon lord and half sister to Lady Alice, the legitimate heir of their home, Aelfgar. Now that the dead Saxon lord's sons have double crossed William the Conqueror twice, the new king has awarded their home to one of his most loyal knights, Rolfe de Warenne. William has directed Rolfe to marry Lady Alice, thereby cementing his new ownership of this large holding. Rolfe first encounters Ceidre in the opening pages of the book when his knights are burning a village for hiding Saxon rebels. He mistakes her for a peasant and decides he will have a taste of her. When his men identify her as Rolfe's future bride, Rolfe realizes he must behave but is extremely pleased with his future bride. He had not expected to be drawn so fiercely to someone who would one day be his bride. Ceidre takes advantage of Rolfe's misunderstanding of her identity and travels back to Aelfgar with him - hoping to find an opportunity to escape. Upon reaching Ceidre's home, Aelfgar, Rolfe soon discovers that his future bride is Lady Alice, not Ceidre. Rolfe is enraged, very disappointed, and feels Ceidre has played him for a fool. From this point on, it is a battle of the wills as Rolfe attempts to put Ceidre in her place, fighting attraction every step of the way, and Ceidre defying Rolfe at every turn as she continues in her loyalty to her rebel Saxon brothers.Now although I do appreciate a well-written alpha hero, I do not especially relish a violent hero. However, although this hero, Rolfe de Warenne, was just that - violent at times - there was this underlying enormity of loving feelings he had towards the heroine, Ceidre. Of course, being the typical romance hero written even today, he did not even want to admit much less explore his feelings for Ceidre. But those underlying feelings caused him to stay close, ever protecting her - even from her own foolish actions, and taking care of her when she was sick or injured. He did not want to banish her because it would mean separation from her although they had no official relationship - not even physically. At times, Rolfe really mistreated Cei

Not for the faint of heart, Ms. Joyce weaves politics of the time(1069-England) and raw passion so real that you are swept away. Not a 'fluffy' romance during William the Conqueror's time, but a meaty and controversial one sure to cause some murmers of disapproval.I enjoyed it very much and appreciated what she was trying to get across to the reader. Some readers missed the message of the true world of war and upheaval and the odd accountance of passion and love that rises above the carnage. A very real and serious look into the life of a reknowned knight of William of Normandy's army and how he cannot understand his love for a Saxon woman that can't belong to him.What would it be like if someone like Rolfe the Relentless were to fall so madly in love with the very woman he was supposed to despise, a Saxon enemy, the conquered...and maybe risk treason to have her...defy a king to be with her...it would not happen to someone so loyal to the crown...or could it?When Rolfe rides into Castle Aelfgar to claim it and its prize, the Lady Alice as his bride as William has decreed, he finds himself helplessly attracted to Lady Alice's illegitimate half sister Ceidre.Was Ceidre a spy? So mysterious was she that Rolfe refuses to see that she aides her nobel rebel brothers and flaunts treason to help them. He cannot help but feel protective. Soon he is caught in her forbidden passion, both are caught in a dangerous liason tied to the fate of England.Can love conquer all? Can the will of a tyrant king bring down the fires of Hell on the two starcrossed lovers?So passionate and fast-paced, I was at once caught up in the turmoil until the very end. The sequel to this unbelievable book is 'Promise of a Rose'.Tracy Talley~@

I read this book for the first time years ago and it quickly took up residence on my "Keeper" shelf. This is the story of Ceidre and Rolfe during the time of William the Conqueror. So right off the bat, you are thrown into the savage and barbaric time which Ms. Joyce has a gift for recreating beautifully and so believably! With that in mind, there are a few questionable scenes that - by today's standards - some might find offensive, perhaps even appalling. But that's just it -- it does NOT take place in this time. The women of this era are treated not as equals, but as property; and marriages are arranged in order to gain the husband coveted land and power. That was just the way it was back then -- it's historical fact -- and this book captures the essence of the period magnificently.Ceidre is "cursed" with what they call the "evil eye" and she is feared by many because of it. But Rolfe isn't afraid of her. No, he is more than a little attracted to her from their first meet. King William has granted Rolfe "Aelfgar" - which is home to Ceidre's two brothers. The brothers have been branded as traitors and are hiding from the King's men who are intent on capturing them for treason. Rolfe's orders are to capture the missing brother and bring them back to William. He is also ordered to gain control of Aelfgar by marrying the traitorous brothers' sister. He soon finds out that Ceidre is illigetimate and that her hateful sister is the rightful heir to the castle. Rolfe lusts for Ceidre, but realizes he must marry the legitimate sister in order to gain rights to the land.Both the hero and heroine in this book are fantastic. You feel for each of them as they battle their feelings, their duties, and their loyalties. There is a lot of very sexual tension between Rolfe and the opinionated Ceidre. You will fall for Rolfe -- even though he is somewhat barbaric (and maybe even BECAUSE of it). There is a very gentle side to him and we get glimpses of that nature when he is around Ceidre. The length he will go to protect her will tug at your heartstrings. And the love scenes will curl your toes. Just keep in mind what era you're reading about when you read some of the scenes. Like I said, this is a KEEPER and I have enjoyed reading and re-reading it many, MANY times. I would be surprised if it didn't find it's way to your own "Keeper" shelf, as well. Enjoy! :)