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cortney9812's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
english_lady03's review
4.0
Nice story about Lothaire Soames who I felt somewhat sorry for in the last novel, The Vexing, and good to see him get a happy ending! Also interesting to see the background of Laura Middleton's character. I barely remembered her, but she was apparently introduced in the second novel. I don't remember her, I'm afraid!
I even liked most of the characters including young Clarice, and some of the details about Medieval life including sheep farming. I just can't put my finger on what I did not like about this book.
I enjoyed it overall: but I think perhaps certain plot- lines have started to become quite repetitive. And certain types of characterization as well.
A couple of Americanisms stood out as well like 'a quarter-hour': which probably would not have meant much to an 11th century person, since they went by the canonical hours for the most part. And they were of different lengths at different times of year.
I even liked most of the characters including young Clarice, and some of the details about Medieval life including sheep farming. I just can't put my finger on what I did not like about this book.
I enjoyed it overall: but I think perhaps certain plot- lines have started to become quite repetitive. And certain types of characterization as well.
A couple of Americanisms stood out as well like 'a quarter-hour': which probably would not have meant much to an 11th century person, since they went by the canonical hours for the most part. And they were of different lengths at different times of year.
rosannelortz's review
4.0
Everyone knows that Lady Laura Middleton fell prey to seduction in her youth. Formerly engaged to Baron Lothaire Soames, her unexpected pregnancy by another man ended that betrothal most abruptly. Now, ten years later, she must make an advantageous marriage to oblige Queen Eleanor, and Lothaire Soames is the man the queen has chosen. Enticed by Laura’s sizable dowry, the impoverished Lothaire assumes that the only benefit to this obligatory marriage is the funds he’ll be able to pour into his failing estate. After all, who knows whether Laura will cuckold him again? And what is this lie she insists on telling, that she never stopped loving him even though all evidence (including her nine-year-old daughter) stands to the contrary?
This second-chance romance was intriguingly plotted. Lady Laura, overwhelmed by her past circumstances, has not been mentally present enough to guide and train her daughter into virtuous womanhood. She needs to come out of her cocoon and live again, and Lothaire, once he overcomes his pique, is just the man to help her do it. The story also has a Gothic flair to it as an unknown person in Lothaire’s keep attempts to sabotage their relationship with mischief of one kind or another.
This second-chance romance was intriguingly plotted. Lady Laura, overwhelmed by her past circumstances, has not been mentally present enough to guide and train her daughter into virtuous womanhood. She needs to come out of her cocoon and live again, and Lothaire, once he overcomes his pique, is just the man to help her do it. The story also has a Gothic flair to it as an unknown person in Lothaire’s keep attempts to sabotage their relationship with mischief of one kind or another.
betherin02's review
5.0
Complete series review on Faithfully Bookish.com
Who can resist a tale of knights in shining armor and damsels in distress?! Medieval times are often romanticized but if it's wrong, I don't want to be right!
Mousy Lady Laura Middleton from the second book is finally taking life by the reins in The Awakening. She is a mom on a mission yet Baron Lothaire Soames is the last man she ever expected to face in her husband hunt. This story demonstrates the power to either hurt or heal is most potently held by those we love.
I have immensely enjoyed reading and rereading the Age of Faith series over the last few years and highly recommend it for delightful binge reading. One of my favorite aspects of this series is the way each plot is skillfully intertwined with the other installments. The characters' lives interconnect in genuine relationships forged by struggle, strife, and love. Tamara Leigh's stories are guilty pleasure reading without the guilt and are among my all-time favorites.
These books were either purchased by me or borrowed through the Kindle Unlimited program. The opinions expressed are my own.
Who can resist a tale of knights in shining armor and damsels in distress?! Medieval times are often romanticized but if it's wrong, I don't want to be right!
Mousy Lady Laura Middleton from the second book is finally taking life by the reins in The Awakening. She is a mom on a mission yet Baron Lothaire Soames is the last man she ever expected to face in her husband hunt. This story demonstrates the power to either hurt or heal is most potently held by those we love.
I have immensely enjoyed reading and rereading the Age of Faith series over the last few years and highly recommend it for delightful binge reading. One of my favorite aspects of this series is the way each plot is skillfully intertwined with the other installments. The characters' lives interconnect in genuine relationships forged by struggle, strife, and love. Tamara Leigh's stories are guilty pleasure reading without the guilt and are among my all-time favorites.
These books were either purchased by me or borrowed through the Kindle Unlimited program. The opinions expressed are my own.
abigailkayharris's review
Due to content I do not recommend this book. Personally... Most will be fine with them however I just didn't really like how descriptive or suggestive they were at points.
I read the whole of the series and I liked them but may places I skimmed or skipped due to sexual content, fade to black scenes, or too many details.
I read the whole of the series and I liked them but may places I skimmed or skipped due to sexual content, fade to black scenes, or too many details.
nicole1's review
4.0
Though I usually like a bit more action in a story, this one still had me flipping pages late at night. Tamara Leigh's work always has me engaged from the first page.
fiction_aficionado's review
5.0
Tamara Leigh is my go-to author for medieval romance, and this has been one of my all-time favourite series ever since I discovered it several years ago. Needless to say, I’m lapping up these new releases as quickly as she can get them published. That said, I wasn’t sure my heart was ready for this one, knowing the painful past betwixt Lady Laura and Lothaire and the misunderstanding that surrounds it. But despite adamantly protesting the match while they had the chance, both characters worked hard to make the best of their situation, and that helped my poor little heart cope with this story so much better than it might have!
It’s a while since I’ve read the first five books in this series, so perhaps my memory is failing me a little, but there was a gentleness about Lothaire, despite his pain, that seems to set him apart from the heroes who have come before him. I loved the way he interacted with Laura’s daughter, Clarice, balancing firm with nurturing, and I loved watching him soften toward Laura.
As for the other members of Lothaire’s family...well, there’s quite a bit going on there, most of which you’ll have to discover for yourself. Let’s just say Lothaire’s mother made no secret of the fact that she did not welcome Lady Laura and her daughter to High Castle. The question is, how desperate is she to prevent the marriage? It wasn’t until towards the end that I began to suspect what was really going on there, so this added a nice element of suspense to the plot.
In more general terms, this novel had all the usual things I love about Tamara Leigh’s writing. She integrates elements of faith that are appropriate for the time period, her writing is evocative of the medieval era without being incomprehensible to the modern reader, and her settings are thoroughly authentic. And she incorporates work and leisure activities of medieval life into her scenes so well—in this case, sheep farming!
Now to patiently await Sir Elias's story—because patience is a virtue. Not because it's actually going to be easy or anything. ;-)
It’s a while since I’ve read the first five books in this series, so perhaps my memory is failing me a little, but there was a gentleness about Lothaire, despite his pain, that seems to set him apart from the heroes who have come before him. I loved the way he interacted with Laura’s daughter, Clarice, balancing firm with nurturing, and I loved watching him soften toward Laura.
As for the other members of Lothaire’s family...well, there’s quite a bit going on there, most of which you’ll have to discover for yourself. Let’s just say Lothaire’s mother made no secret of the fact that she did not welcome Lady Laura and her daughter to High Castle. The question is, how desperate is she to prevent the marriage? It wasn’t until towards the end that I began to suspect what was really going on there, so this added a nice element of suspense to the plot.
In more general terms, this novel had all the usual things I love about Tamara Leigh’s writing. She integrates elements of faith that are appropriate for the time period, her writing is evocative of the medieval era without being incomprehensible to the modern reader, and her settings are thoroughly authentic. And she incorporates work and leisure activities of medieval life into her scenes so well—in this case, sheep farming!
Now to patiently await Sir Elias's story—because patience is a virtue. Not because it's actually going to be easy or anything. ;-)
marylinfurumasu's review
5.0
You might ask me why I read Tamara Leigh’s books and I would tell you, they are books full of flair and colorful word pictures. I’ve said this before, yet it still holds true, each of her books is an invitation to travel back in time to an era we can only imagine. An era where the king and queen determine whom you can marry, where you can go, and what your life status will be.
This story is full of family drama, intrigue, love lost, and found. It’s packed full of emotions which will draw you in as a reader and won’t let you go even after you’ve finished the book. It’s a story which in the end shows what true forgiveness looks like and how healing can be found.
This journey captures the lives of Lord Lothaire Soames and Lady Laura Middleton. They have struggles which are overwhelming it seems, but through time they learn things might not be as they appear. Tamara Leigh writes in such a way we deeply feel all their struggles and emotions.
This book is another one in the Age of Faith Series and is a wonderful addition to these stories. It even brings in a few of the past characters from previous books.
I can’t wait to continue to read more of these wonderful stories.
I highly recommend picking this book up and reading it.
Actually,
READ THE WHOLE SERIES you won’t be disappointed!
This story is full of family drama, intrigue, love lost, and found. It’s packed full of emotions which will draw you in as a reader and won’t let you go even after you’ve finished the book. It’s a story which in the end shows what true forgiveness looks like and how healing can be found.
This journey captures the lives of Lord Lothaire Soames and Lady Laura Middleton. They have struggles which are overwhelming it seems, but through time they learn things might not be as they appear. Tamara Leigh writes in such a way we deeply feel all their struggles and emotions.
This book is another one in the Age of Faith Series and is a wonderful addition to these stories. It even brings in a few of the past characters from previous books.
I can’t wait to continue to read more of these wonderful stories.
I highly recommend picking this book up and reading it.
Actually,
READ THE WHOLE SERIES you won’t be disappointed!
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