The Crown of Valencia

This is a great sequel to "The Spanish Pearl"! I first discovered Catherine Friend when I read "A Pirate's Heart" and fell in love with her writing! I highly recommend all three books! They are books I will keep in my collection to read again and again. She tells great stores and I am anxious for more!

This is a sequel to "The Spanish Pearl." I re-read the first book before reading "The Crown of Valencia" and writing both reviews. Both are excellent books and can stand alone. However, the reader who reads them in order will get even more enjoyment than reading either alone. It is almost like catching up on the lives of old friends. It is unfair to compare two such wonderful books. However, I would have to give this one an over-the-top edge. The story becomes more gripping, better integrated, more personal to the characters, more evenly paced, and more people-oriented. The emotion, while vivid in the first book is even more intense here. I identified with the characters more and that always increases the enjoyment of a book. Including a teenager as an important character increased the realism of this fantasy story. Cultures and landscapes change over centuries but the issues of adolescence remain constant. Speaking of Elena, Kate's co-star in both books, Kate says "She's been strapped to me on the rollercoaster of my life." This is realism in any century when we picture our lives with mates and loved ones. A sense of humor spices all of Friend's writing. Here she uses contrasts between eleventh century Spain and the present to sneak in some laugh-out-loud punch lines. The humor blends well with the emotion; "laugh-out-loud" and tears sometimes follow one another closely. I consider myself disciplined, seldom giving in to a book. However, "The Crown of Valencia kept me up hours after my normal bedtime. The reader will appreciate Friend's conclusion. It is unexpected and it required a bit of courage for the author to take the story in that direction. In fact, this is an extremely sophisticated plot. I don't read a lot of fiction, but I don't recall having seen a plot quite like this one. I don't want to compromise the story, but I urge readers when finishing the book to stop and reflect on the plot. I also appreciate the explanations that Catherine Friend sometimes provides at the end of her books or on her website. It shows that she has a great deal more appreciation and concern for her readers than do some authors. My Goddess, I did indeed enjoy this book!

When I first read `The Spanish Pearl,' it took me a little bit to accept the premise of time travel via a cave. However, once I allowed myself to enter that fantasy world I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Such is the case with this wonderful sequel. The aptly entitled `Crown of Valencia' is an easy-to-enjoy story delivering a little historical fiction entwined with a wonderful romance. Kate Vincent goes back to 15th Century Spain to counteract her ex-lover's attempt to change history. In the alternative history, instead of the Christians taking over most of the world it's the Muslims. This significantly changes how the world would be today, including WHO is in the world today. She resists going back, but Kate realizes both her life and that of her son Arturo are in jeopardy. Upon returning to Spain, the woman who owns Kate's heart realizes she has returned only to save her world. She seemingly cannot forgive that Kate has not come back to be with her. Upon all the other difficulties, this is the hardest thing Kate has to endure. This is a wonderful book with (mostly) likable characters. It's even hard to resist feeling sorry for Anna as the tale unravels. Highly recommended, this one is a don't-miss.

Even better than the Spanish Pearl (but read it first). Non-stop action and a very professionally written book, what could be better?...A pirate book? Yea, a pirate book. Can't wait for it, but guess I'll have to. Not to slight all you other lesbian authors, because you really do put out a tremendous effort, every one of you, but FINALLY some good, action packed, passionate, unpredictable storyline and writing for lesbians!!! My new favorite author. Has a twist around every bend. Just about the time you're thinking "well what else could happen"...something else does. Tough times and tough women who do what needs to be done.

I cannot praise this book enough. This books lives up to everything I have come to expect from Catherine Friend's writing in The Spanish Pearl. It is a multi-genre book so I would recommend to anyone who likes lesbian romance, lesbian historical romance, lesbian genre romance, action, and, although this book is very sexy in parts I don't believe it is too explicit for straight people to enjoy. For me, one of the best aspects of this book was how real the characters are portrayed. They feel almost real whichever time they are in. Kate, is not doing to well in 10th century life as all her skills are were acquired for use in the 21st century. Despite that she plans to stay on an learn the skills required for her survival. That is until she finds out that Anna has followed her to the past and in doing so has left poor little Arturo abandoned in the orphanage and motherless. Kate decides to put Arturo's happiness before her own and go back to the 21st century to become his mother. Eight years later Arturo has become a energetic, handsome teenager any mom would be proud off. Kate is resigned to life without her soulmate, Elana. But the 10th century is not that easy for Kate to keep away from. Anna, is changing history in a way that she could not forsee and putting all of their lives at risk. Can Kate survive the 10th century again to save them all? Highly recommended.