Lie Down in Roses by Heather Graham

I did not finish this book and will not be reviewing it. I just couldn't get on board with such an abusive main male character. He's awful.

The willful and beautiful Lady Genevieve would do anything to save her beloved Edenby Castle
. . . even if she had to share the name—and bed--of her most treacherous foe . . .
He was Lord Tristan, nobleman and knight. Magnificent in battle, he would lead his invading army across the land, only to become captive to the sensual charms of the bold enchantress who was secretly plotting his destruction . . .
They were born to be enemies and destined to be lovers—players in a perilous game of intrigue and passion where the price was one woman’s innocence . . . and the prize was one man’s heart.
I really didn’t like this book, which is a shame because I am a big Heather Graham book. However, I have found that her earlier books by her as Shannon Drake tend to not work for me. I think she is trying to go for how the women were really treated back then. I really didn’t like everything that Genevieve went through, including everything Tristan does to her. It killed the book for me unfortunately.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

1⭐️

Not quite sure why I’m reviewing a book that came out before I was born, and is just being released under the author’s name instead of a pseudonym, but ok here I am.

This was a hard to read historical romance. It heavily relies on violence and abuses towards women, mainly in the form of dubious consent, which I would say falls under rape for the first portion of the book.

The hair fetish is real and alive in this book, lots of pulling/dragging/combing/entwining. And excessive amount.

It is not a book that is female friendly, And without a doubt is a book that should have stayed locked in 1988...

I have always liked this author's style and this book is not an exception. I think it has the elements of a great historical romance book!

I am sorry but I am having to give up on this book. The treatment of the main female character is awful and I cannot get behind a romance that is abusive and horrible. Therefore I will not be reviewing this title as I have not finished it,

This book was originally published with Shannon Drake as the author, a pseudonym of Heather Graham's. I enjoyed this book when I read it in 1988.

Lie Down in Roses is just okay book but worth reading for those who love historicals..

Lord Tristan, nobleman and knight who two years ago arrived home to find his castle had been attacked and his wife and unborn son murdered. He blames King Richard for this treachery against him since he asked for proof the young Princes were still alive. He joins in Henry’s right to the throne. Lady Genevieve father died in the battle and he made her swear to never surrender. She has had enough of fighting watching her people die and offers Tristian Edenby Castle and her surrender. Lady Genevieve would do anything to save her beloved Edenby Castle and treachery she will fight her enemy to the bitter end. This a true knight and damsel in distress when her castle is taken and she is the prize. After her treacherous past Tristan will never trust her; she hates him but that doesn't stop him from taking her night after night. They continue to be adversaries during the day and eventually at night they forget they are enemies when a passions consumes them. They were born to be enemies and destined to be lovers in these perilous times when he has stolen her innocence and she steals his heart. A captivating and intriguing story set during the War of the Roses between two waring houses and enemies of the crown.
I voluntarily read an ARC copy from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

I had a hard time deciding whether I like this book or not. I've already read several books by the author that I've really enjoyed. Heather Graham has a very unique style that I love and her characters are always interesting, complex and intense.
All of these things apply to "Lie Down in Roses" as well but....I simply hated the way the hero treated the heroine and no matter how good it felt in the end and how much they came to care for each other, I also hated that the hero forced the heroine to sleep with him. He didn't rape her but some kind of forced non-rape is not much better, at least in my eyes.
Yes, things were rather tough and she wasn*t exactly the kind of girl to give up and welcome him into her home, seeing that they were enemies and he had invaded her home, but....
Okay, and I must admit that I was completely shocked at the beginning when I read what Lord Tristan found when he came home (and I must also admit that this was the moment where I really, really started to hate the Duke of Gloucester, just saying) and it haunted me for a while.

I liked the story on the whole and I loved the characters but I didn't like their interaction. The end was very satisfying but I'm not sure if I will read this book ever again. Considering the fact that I've read all my other books by Heather Graham several times and that "Ondine" is one of my all-time favorites....well.
Well-written, interesting and intense story but a huge BUT when it comes to the characters and their actions so I decided to go for three stars

**** 4.5 stars: Loved it and probably stayed up all night reading and developing real feelings for fictional people.

This Middle-Ages romantic drama will keep you up all night reading. Another great Heather Graham historical romance.

 

 


Recommended readers:

If you like Heather Graham
If you want an action-packed historical read
If you like Middle Age period fiction
Here's my Rankings:

5/5 for characters
4/5 for plot
4.5/5 overall
REVIEW FROM BOOKS FOR HER:

An expert in historical romance with substance, Heather Graham is my go-to author for a good historical romance. Lady Genevieve has an impossible task ahead of her. The siege of her castle and the death of her father have left her with no options. And Lord Tristan has specific orders from his new king. The two leaders struggle with the hopes of the people who depend on them along with the desperate circumstances around them. If you like strong characters, passion and a believable Middle Ages political plot, you'll love Lie Down in Roses.

Available Aug 29: Lie Down in Roses by Heather Graham

I love a historical read that transport you back in time. Genevieve and Tristan are great characters, their story is filled with drama, suspense and steam. I was hooked from beginning to end. Great characters and an amazing story. Be advised this is a re-release so if it sounds familiar you may have read it before; however, I certainly would recommend a re-read.

Publisher's Description:

“A MASTER STORYTELLER.”
--RT Book Reviews

The willful and beautiful Lady Genevieve would do anything to save her beloved Edenby Castle
. . . even if she had to share the name—and bed--of her most treacherous foe . . .

He was Lord Tristan, nobleman and knight. Magnificent in battle, he would lead his invading army across the land, only to become captive to the sensual charms of the bold enchantress who was secretly plotting his destruction . . .

They were born to be enemies and destined to be lovers—players in a perilous game of intrigue and passion where the price was one woman’s innocence . . . and the prize was one man’s heart.

My Thoughts:

I have previously read many of this authors' books in paperback and since the timeframe of the original release was nearly 30 years ago it is wonderful to re-read favorites with fresh new covers. This particular title seemed to have been refreshed for todays reader. It was much more sensual than I remember it being. I liked the book then but I loved this re-released version.
Tristan starts out to be an utterly cruel and cynical hero who at that time in this reader's opinion was no hero at all. His previous marriage had ended with the deaths of his wife and child at the enemies hands so he therefore bears a deep hatred for anyone of that blood.

Genevieve starts out fierce but becomes more complacent as the story progresses. She is mistakenly loyal to someone that she deems a friend, but this person is no friend at all. She believes Tristan to be the person responsible for the deaths of her father and betrothed. She will not willingly become his lover.

I gave this sweeping tale situated in the time of The War of The Roses 4.5 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 4.75 of 5.0 flames.
This book is what some would term as a true bodice riper.

I received a complimentary digital ARC of this re-release of a 1988 title from the publisher via NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

I could not finish this. There are parts I just could not tolerate.

Lie Down in Roses is a historical romance that beautifully blends history and fiction together. Lord Tristan de la Tere is the second son in the family with no hopes to inherit the family's vast holding. This doesn't bother him as he is quiet content in his role working for the King. When the crown is embroiled in turmoil and the country is at war with finding the rightful heir to the throne, Tristan's ties to the crown becomes strained and eventually severed. Years later on the opposing side, Tristan is tasked with taking Edenby. The people of Edenby are opposed to the takeover and fight back. It is during this turmoil that Tristan meets Genevieve and vows to avenge the treacherous deceit inflicted upon him when they almost win the takeover. The price for the deceit and takeover are not fully realized by either side as they clash in what is destined to change their lives forever.

As a big fan of Heather Graham's historical romances, this book was absolutely delightful. The story opened with a song and as if my brain didn't register the words, it absolutely read the words as if they were being sung to me. Each paragraph felt like part of a poem and then eventually there came the meaning and impact of events that were unfolding to me as I turned the page. This book pulled me under and tied me to each word so that I couldn't get enough of the story and absolutely had to finish it in one go.

The characters of Tristan and Genevieve were fully developed and artistically displayed. I was able to fully engage myself with their world through their dialogue and setting. I felt like I was back in 1485 going through the same hardships as them, although I am thankful that I was living back then. I also fell in love with the side characters. The way Heather Graham weaves them together with the main characters helps create the community in which they live in very realistic. By the end of the book, it felt as if I had a some very special best friends that I would hate to part with. If you enjoy historical romances then you'll love this book.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

This a re-release from Shannon Drake, the name Heather Graham used for her historical romance. The original story is from 1988.

This was not one of my favorite books by Drake/Graham. It is a true “Bodice Ripper” as the saying goes. The Hero is cruel and heartless in my opinion. I never ended up liking him. The Heroine is just too weak.

The story kept me interested but I am not sure why. I really just didn’t find myself liking much of anyone in this story.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

GENEVIEVE LIEWELLYN watches in horror as the conquerers led by Tristan de la Tere take over her home. Her father, beloved and so many others have died in the siege. She is now treated as a spoils of war by Tristan, who has suffered an unimaginable tragedy years earlier which has turned him into an angry and bitter man. The plot is set for these two enemies and throughout the book, they wage a private war against each other. Tristan steals her innocence and keeps her prisoner in her chamber to be at his disposal whenever he wishes.

This story is about trust, betrayal, cruelty, tenderness and eventually love. I didn't particularly like Tristan and his treatment of Genevieve, especially all the hair pulling. I understand his grief and his distrust of Genevieve, but he could not let go of his past. Genevieve's character was trying to honor her father's last wish and she was left to pay the price for the opposition to the conquerers. There was a good twist at the end, but some of the middle of the book dragged for me. All in all, it was a good read.

I am giving an honest and fair review, as promised, for this ARC. Seriously, an epic tale during the war of the roses. Great characters, strong, loyal and stubborn. They fight each other as ferociously as they fight love. Good tale and definitely worth reading.

I loved this novel, it was fantastic. It has war, revenge, betrayal, passion, and love all wrapped together in a suspensive and beautifully written novel. I am a sucker for a good romance and I couldn’t ask for a better read. It was fast paced and never once lost my attention. It even had some history of the time, just enough to inform the reader, but not enough to bore. I couldn’t put this book down.
I love Genevieve, she is this fiery character that refuses to give up fighting but soon finds herself in a battle for her life and not with the person she expected.
While some parts of the story were predictable, it still held a bit of shock and dismay when revealed. Heather Graham alway found a way to keep you on your toes. I don’t think I can say enough how amazingly well done this novel is.
**Warning: There are acts of sexal abuse and slight non-consensual sex. If that bothers you please don’t read this novel.

This story is a historical romance set in the time of the culmination of England's war of the roses, when the Tudor line through the defeat of King Richard, came to power under King Henry VII. The tale is of the relationship between Yorkist Lady Genevieve and Lancastrian Tristan. Tristan has fought for Henry, the triumphant sude, and Genevieve and her lands are to be spoils of war. Can the two ever have a normal, loving relationship after such a tumultuous beginning? Are there others who might wish to prevent such a joining for their own gain?
This is an excellent novel, and this reader thoroughly enjoyed it from cover to cover. I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy historical romance, romance, intrigue, and heat, plenty of heat. Great story!

Heathers historical romance is a lot darker then her paranormal mystery romances. Still great characters and ineresting storyline but not a comfortable read