TBR Challenge: Madeline Hunter - An Interrupted Tapestry

"New York Times "bestselling author Madeline Hunter weaves passion and adventure into this exquisite love story. A noblewoman, beset by her brother's creditors, offers a cherished tapestry to a wealthy London merchant--who has more on his mind than settling her debts...
Originally published in the anthology "Tapestry"

Comment: And here we are, with the first post of the TBR Challenge for 2017. As it's tradition, the january post is usually dedicated to a short story, a novella, something not too big. Yes, all choices are exactly that, a choice, so readers can pick whatever they want but personally, the fun part is to try to meet the theme.

This novella was originally published in the Tapestry anthology. 

It's the story of Giselle, a woman living in medieval England and how she is down on her luck, her house and all her things might be taken from her because her missing brother hasn't been able to pay his debts. The only valuable thing Giselle has is her virtue so when Andreas, a now wealthy family friend, she makes a joke saying that would help but he doesn't laugh. Giselle also tries to sell the tapestry she has hanging in a room, something she was told was valuable. But can Andreas take advantage? Can Giselle's brother be found?

The author is Madeline Hunter, a writer whose work I'm familiar with so it wasn't difficult to be interested in reading this. I was recommended this to read years ago, probably because I was chatting about the author's books. I got this novella but it has been in the pile for years! This year I thought it would suit the january theme quite well.

This was a short story but it has several details that make it feel more complex. I liked it but I must confess medieval plots aren't as interesting for me nowadays as they used to so I wasn't particularly eager to be in such a set. Like most short stories, we also have a rushed end and situations and that doesn't allow time for characters to fully develop. The protagonists have never been involved but they aren't strangers and it's always very difficult to maintain the balance between familiarity and sudden feelings...something I think wasn't completely well done here.

Giselle is a sweet woman and she isn't aware of her brother's true careless personality and how he doesn't worry about her or their house. I think it's not that far fetched to imagine but in such a short amount of time obviously the things that should happen, her growing up as a character and how she deals with finding her brother's issues and flaws wasn't done with the proper time for it to be believable or complex. So it just felt too quickly done.

Andreas is an intriguing character, I wish we could have seen more of him. He is wealthy but of course he isn't God so he can't do everything he wishes for. He does help Giselle but at the end there is one price for his help. It's cute but sadly, the short amount of time isn't enough to structure such a complex cast and situations well enough, in my opinion.

The romance is quick, as you can imagine. Both Andreas and Giselle have doubts, have things they wish they could say but HEA apart, their relationship just doesn't have enough time to settle well. I know it's difficult to structure a romantic relationship properly without time but then why pushing things just to say there was a romance? Authors can always give that idea, even presenting the HEA notion without creating so much unanswered situations that only make the plot feel weaker. I'm glad the author didn't use the friends to lovers or the lovers reunited tropes because Giselle and Andreas were sort of friends but haven't been equals so it didn't feel like he had to help her. He did because he liked her but honestly I don't think this is true love between them. We just don't have enough scenes leading to it.

I was more interested in the little details included, like the message behind the tapestry presence in the story, what it meant, also the brother's character, we could read a lot between the lines just by having him say a few things or the secondary stuff we learn from others. I liked the author used time to make the main characters act and look for Giselle's brother, looking for answers. Some details about the plot, the environment and the medieval society were also very interesting but just not as good as they could to bring my grade up. Novellas are tricky, there's a certain balance to be achieved but it's possible and even it less pages that this one.

I just think this one focused on one or two things that were unnecessary and not on what would have made it very good.

All things considered, this was a positive story, has interesting elements and characters but isn't solid enough for me in terms of romance and resolution.

Grade: 6/10

Quick new comments

I was raised for battle. And as the first daughter of a warrior family, I've earned my reputation the hard way. Yet now I fight alongside uncivilized male Northland dragons who think a female is only good for breeding and waiting back home in the cave. But it's the foolish and foolhardy who would try to stop me, Rhona the Fearless, from doing what I do best - destroying the enemies of my kind. So the smartest thing wily barbarian Vigholf the Abhorrent can do for me is stay out of my way as we risk all on a deadly mission in enemy territory. I don't care if he's fascinated by me, even though he is as attractive as he is resourceful. He's having far too much fun putting me in difficult situations and testing my sense of duty to the limit. And I'm going to enjoy challenging his insufferable confidence, outwitting his schemes, and making him surrender in the wildest ways...

Comment: I loved, loved, loved this book. I really liked seeing so many subplots taking place and how everything worked out. So good to see beloved characters and new ones, who might become protagonists. I think this is the best series with dragons I'm currently reading. Love this world, it's auto buy for me at this point.

* * *

The first time he laid eyes on her she had come to his rescue with a sword in her hand. Still Morvan Fitzwaryn had never seen any woman who aroused his interest and his passion more than the unconventional Breton warrior beauty. Anna de Leon took him into her castle and nursed him back to health, little knowing the spark of desire she was feeding with her caring ministrations. It wasn't long before Morvan had vowed to protect and conquer this unconquerable woman with all the sensual weapons at his disposal.

For her part, Anna de Leon had no interest in men as lovers or husbands. She was used to commanding men in battle. But she suddenly had the strange feeling that her well-fortified defenses could be breached by this dark-eyed, smolderingly handsome English knight. When her castle is besieged by an old enemy who claims both her and her lands, Anna finds she has no choice but to accept Morvan's aid -- even if the enemy outside her walls is no match for the ally within, who with every tantalizing kiss and forbidden embrace threatens to make her a prisoner of her own fiery passion.

Comment: I like this author but I must say, in small doses. She's not my favourite wrioting historicals, being them medieval or regency. In this book I was often divided between hapy for Anna for being independent and resigned to see her capitulate part of it because of the times she was living in. Anyway, the romance was convincing and in the end I had a good time reading it. Also, it was good to see past characters. I alway love that in my books!

Madeline Hunter - The Sins of Lord Easterbrook

A kiss long ago. . . A desire that never dies. . .
A passion that will not be denied.
Seven years ago, Leona Montgomery's sensuality was awoken by a mysterious young adventurer full of dark chaos and sinful inclinations.
When she meets him again, their attraction reignites immediately, but he is much changed. Arrogant, masterful, and determined to seduce her, he now appears to have leashed the chaos and tamed the darkness.
Or has he?

Comment: I was quite eager to read this book after all the talk about the marquess in the previous books.
Altough it has started in a way I wasn't very fond of, in the end it was ok, and the epilogue has redeemed it in my eyes. Well, not completely because I think more would be better, but I see the point where something must end.
Anyway, first I didn't like the marquess' secret. Empathy? It sounds too strange, because it felt liek something had to be out of sorts, but it didn't have to be this. It all worked out in the end considering he learnt to work out with that and to use it and discipline it. But it's still strange.
Seond, I didn'r particularly like the heroine. I mean, she is a good heroine, just not for him, I guess. I'd imagined someone more vulnerable economically, with a bigger fight to acknowledge their feelings...it's the problem with expectations. Usually they're never met.
I liked it in the end, yes, but it isn't what I really wanted, so I leave it with a good memory but nothing more.

Madeline Hunter - Secrets of Surrender

He catches her eye across the dining room—a handsome stranger who stands out among the lewd noblemen and bawdy painted women. But their worlds are about to collide in a way Roselyn Longworth could never have imagined. For before the night is out, she will be auctioned off to the highest bidder...and Kyle Bradwell will lead her from one kind of hell to another. Yet from the moment he wins her, Kyle treats Rose with a gentleness she hasn't known since a family scandal destroyed her reputation. And when she finally learns what is really driving Kyle, it's too late. For Rose has fallen for the man who knows her most intimate secrets. Now he has stunned her with a proposal of marriage—the first step in a seduction that will demand nothing less than her complete surrender....

Comment: I like reading historicals. It makes you want to see if people's lives were close to that back in that time, soemtimes we can see ourselves in the heroines shoes, knowing what we know, imagining if we didn't know but still kept our personality...it's an intereting exercice.
But sometimes the author's writing doesn't allow much imagination...which isn't the case here. Madeline Hunter created the marquis' character and since book #1 I've been imagining his HEA.
I'm almost there and the tidbits in this book show us more clues to his occupation.

About this book, well, Roselyn and Kyle are a gorgeous couple, both of them ha a past that isn't perfect but throughout the book we see them making allowances to the other in order to restore honor and devotion. Well I saw it that way.
It makes me think knowing that women were treated like that and worse, by men who had all the power. I think the fact Kyle "rescued" Rose from a dangerously horrible future is sweet and honorable, even tough he isn't from a rich family. An interesting study in comparing the status quo of that time with one's honor.
I don't think this is the best historical I've read but I liked it a lot and will certainly keep reading books by the author.