Review and Giveaway: Knight Of Passion by Margaret Mallory
June 2, 2010 
28 Comments
Knight of Passion
By Margaret Mallory
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Forever
Available: June 1, 2010
Genre: Historical Romance
Book received from: Hachette Book Group
HOW CAN THIS PASSIONATE KNIGHT…
Renowned beauty Lady Linnet is torn between two desires: revenge on those who destroyed her family or marriage to her childhood sweetheart Sir James Rayburn. One fateful night, she makes a misguided choice: she sacrifices Jamie’s love for a chance at vengeance.
TRUST A BEAUTY WITH A PAST?
Jamie Rayburn returns to England in search of a virtuous wife-only to find the lovely Linnet as bewitching as ever. Their reckless affair ignites anew, even hotter than before, although Jamie vows to never again trust her with his heart. Then just as Linnet begins to make amends, she’s tempted by one last opportunity to settle old scores. But a final retribution could cost her Jamie’s love – this time forever.
Reviewer: Mama Kitty
I will be the first to tell you that I’m not that into Historical Romances. While I am somewhat of a history buff, I prefer non-fiction to fiction. The heroines are usually simpering moronic virgins with few redeeming qualities and a weak woman irritates me to no end. So why did I volunteer to guest review a Historical Romance? Mostly because I felt the need to broaden my horizons as to the spectrum of books I read, but also because I trust Fiction Vixen’s judgment, and if she thinks it’ll be a good book, it likely will be. So, I dove into Knight of Passion with an open mind and smothered the voice screaming in the back of my head that it was a bad idea.
I’m glad I smothered that voice.
Lady Linnet is no simpering moronic virgin. In fact, she’s more like the heroines of today – strong, courageous, and unafraid to take what she wants. She’s not your typical “Lady” –she doesn’t cower away from men who would rather see her barefoot and pregnant, nor does she hold her tongue in “polite” company- and this makes me like her immensely. She’s driven by a need to seek revenge against the men who took advantage of her sick grandfather and sent her twin brother and herself to the streets. What I didn’t like about her was that she allowed the need for revenge take over every aspect of her life, clouding her judgment when it came to her approach to Jamie Rayburn, the man she loves. She keeps him in the dark about too many things, which puts them both in danger, and blatantly lies to his face. Sorry, but that’s not the way you treat the man you claim to love.
I first took Jamie Rayburn to be a splendid knight, fighting for king and country like any brave man would, but an absolute pussy when it came to Linnet. She humiliated him from the very beginning of the book and he ran away with his tail tucked between his legs. Five years later, they meet again and his feelings are just as strong. She humiliates him yet again, and he tucks tail and runs to his mommy. What I initially took as him being cowardly was actually him protecting his heart, which is (let’s face it) a smart thing to do. I will say this: he did eventually man up enough to tell Linnet to cut the shit, but by then it was already too late – she’d opened Pandora’s Box and there was no turning back.
Overall, I did end up enjoying the book. Granted, it wasn’t until the last couple hundred pages when things started to fall into place, but I really did end up liking it. The author based the main subplot on actual events, and my history buff heart leapt for joy that she so seamlessly wove the story of Queen Katherine de Valois in with Linnet and Jamie’s love story.
Purchase a copy of Knight of Passion
Other books in the series:
- Knight of Desire
- Knight of Pleasure
Knight of Passion on GoodReads
Visit Margaret Mallory at:
Website |Twitter | Facebook | GoodReads
****GIVEAWAY****
Thanks to Hachette Book Group I have 5 copies of Knight of Passion to give away. Just leave a comment here and tell me your favorite thing about Historical Romance. If you’ve never read Historical Romance, then just let me know why you’ve decided to give it a try.
Because the prizes are mailed directly from the publisher, only residents of the U.S. or Canada are eligible to win. No P.O. Boxes, please.
Contest will run until June 12 and the winner will be announced the following day. Good luck to all who enter!
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I've enjoyed the 2 previous books in this series, so I'm excited to read the conclusion.
I'm glad you stepped out and tried a historical romance–and that it was mine! Truly, you won't find many simpering heroines being written by historical romance authors today, so I hope you'll try more.
Thanks for the review & for participating in my blog tour!
Good luck to the commenters. I hope readers enjoy a KNIGHT OF PASSION.
Margaret–I agree, I think the days of simpering heroines are over.
Thanks for stopping by. I'll forward your comment to the reviewer.
I have been hearing a lot of good things about this book and I can't wait to read it! I am real big into reading historicals, they are my favorite! Please enter me!
FV – thank you so much for allowing me to read & review Knight of Passion! It was truly a great book for me to jump back into the HR world!
Margaret – I truly loved KoP and I fully intend to read it again! What a great book! Lady Linnet is totally my hero! And I'm still over the moon that you inncluded Queen Katherine's story. =)
MamaKitty
Excellent review, MK!
Why do I love historicals? That's tough because I have to be in the mood to read them. I guess I love the change of pace and the fact that it was acceptable for men to be caveman heathens.
LOL Jamie!! I think I have to agree with you. I put up with more from my historical and PNR heroes that I do from my contemp heroes. LOL
Thanks so much for the comments! All my heroines are strong, but Linnet was both the hardest & the most fun to write b/c she is so different from me. I'm VERY strong-willed, but I'm not a big rule-breaker by nature.
Lovely review, Mamma Kitty! Funny thing is that I have/had the same idea about the heroines being usually simpering moronic virgins in HR. But maybe I must get rid of that prejudice, especially after reading Ms. Mallory's comment.
I'm in Europe so I'm not entering the contest, just wanted to comment on the review
What I love about a good historical romance is that it can sweep me away to another world in another time. I enjoy historical novels that use scene, attire, manners and grammar to set the tone.
Since I was a child, I've loved reading and history. As an adult, it's no wonder historical romance is one of my preferred genres. I especially like it when the heroines are capable, strong and intelligent.
I love reading about the fashion and parties and other social issues in historical romances. It's like a much more interesting history lesson when reading these romances.
joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com
my favorite thing about historical romance is that it's the closest thing i'll ever get to time travel!
when written well, it feels like i'm there!
k_sunshine1977 at yahoo dot com
I like the way they talk different and how relationship are made differently but the same in ways too.
usignolc(at)yahooDOTcom
I love being transported to a different time and place. tiredwkids at live dot com
I would love to read this book. Love the cover.
Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot}com
My favorite thing about historical romance is bringing characters in time periods that I've studied and loved to life.
I like that besides getting lost while reading it I can sometimes learn about the era.
I like being taken back to a different place and time.
I love historical romance because I enjoy being taken away to a different place and time and maybe learning a little bit about history at the same time.
I love historical romances since, ya know, chivalry wasn't dead then.
But really, any era different form our own has always intrigued me.
Thanks for this!
Love, Hannah
xoxosweeet at yahoo dot com
My favorite thing about historical romance is learning about the time periods,the clothes, etc. Not to mention the hot romance. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
I love historical romances because they are truely an escape from reality, and I need that. I love traveling to another time and place. I have heard great things about this series.
Diana
bookofsecrets(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love historical romance because it combines two of my favorite things- history/the past, and really hot dudes. ^_^ There's no better ending to a bad day than making a pot of hot cocoa, curling up in my favorite armchair with my favorite quilt, having a giant oatmeal cookie, a cat in my lap, and getting to imerse myself into a different time and place where they've never heard of bills or equity tax.
Email is
I've enjoyed reading why people love historical romance. I love history, travel, and a good love story. Reading historical romance gives me all three.
What I like about writing in the medieval period, in particular, is that it lends itself so well to dramatic, adventurous tales with themes of honor and loyalty.
I have only read a few historical romance titles, but I like them because love medieval times. Men with honor are more romantic than modern day men. I also love a man with a sword! Sexy!
I've heard a lot of good things about this book.
Why do I love historical romance? Easy. I love being transported to a different time and place while learning about history.
melvautour(at)hotmail(dot)com
I enjoy historical romance because it gives me the opportunity to step out of myself, the present & sometimes the awful situations of our " present" time. Does that make sense? A grand escape to a place you imagine=)
I really enjoy Margaret Mallory's books!
Thanks~
Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net