In Pursuit of the Green Lion

Rating:
Summary: Another wonderful Judith M. Riley book!
Review: 4 1/2 stars! Another wonderful book from JMR, in her vintage tongue-in-cheek style and her wicked sense of humor. It took me two readings to fully appreciate her style--this book was my very first introduction to her, months ago when I was in the mood for something with a bit less substance and more flash. Three books later, I came back to this one--and it was definitely well worth the second trip! Margaret is such a great character--full of common sense and insight that Riley uses to gently poke fun at the absurdities of society. It's refreshing to see a woman who is extraordinary by virtue of the strength of her character rather than her looks, and one made even more appealing by her various quirks. And, as always, it's nice to see the woman rescuing the man, although I was initially hard-pressed to see what she saw in the self-important, self-pitying Gregory (although he DOES improve in the end!). I HAVE in vain been trying to locate the prequel--maybe it'll enlighten me. Can't really comment on the audio, though, since I read this in the book version.

Rating:
Summary: Exciting book--I couldn't put it down!
Review: I am a huge fan of Judith Merkle Riley's work, and this book is one of her best. The sequel to A Vision of Light, this book doubles the excitement, and the stormy relationship between the book's protagonist, Margaret, and her reluctant husband, Gilbert, is a great centerpiece to the book. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction, but be sure to read A Vision of Light first, as the sequel will be far more enjoyable if you know the complete history going in.

Rating:
Summary: Exciting book--I couldn't put it down!
Review: I am a huge fan of Judith Merkle Riley's work, and this book is one of her best. The sequel to A Vision of Light, this book doubles the excitement, and the stormy relationship between the book's protagonist, Margaret, and her reluctant husband, Gilbert, is a great centerpiece to the book. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction, but be sure to read A Vision of Light first, as the sequel will be far more enjoyable if you know the complete history going in.

Rating:
Summary: Gets better every time I read it
Review: I didn't care for this book when it first came out. But I am learning to love my copy. You can still pick up a copy at Book Fairs, Clearance Bins, and I swear I saw the audio version at Costco at Christmas time.
This story continues Margaret of Ashbury's tales and what happens after Brother Gregory saves the day. Of course, her father in law is perfectly awful, which means hes my favorite character!
Margaret meets up with all her old buddies when she is whisked away to Gregorys ramshackle old family home. Schemes, ghosts and mishaps abound. Its pretty cool. Some scary evil crazy dude nabs Brother Gregory because he made fun of his poetry and Margaret has to go save him. And of course, she does, in true Merkle Riley fashion! Whens the next one coming out?
Wait---whens the "Water Devil" coming out in English? Thats the third in this little series on Margaret. Can't miss out on all those interesting characters!

Rating:
Summary: This book/audio rates 10 stars
Review: I have heard the audio and just found this book (by special search)and it was unbelievable. Judith Merkle Riley is one of the best historical authors ever. Margaret of Asbury is compelling, likeable and admirable and her story is profound. I highly recommend searching out the book or buying the audio version of it. I hope Ms. Riley is fast at work on another book now because I have read all of her others and they have be just as riveting.

Rating:
Summary: My FAVORITE book EVER! along with Gabaldon's "Outlander"
Review: It got to a point where I would pick up this book and start reading just anywhere; I liked this book so well and read it so often that I was ashamed when the thought struck me that other people probably read their bibles with this kind of regularity. The heroine, Margaret of Ashbury, is an everyday saint in disguise (a true healer) who meets all kinds of adventures on the road to rescue her husband who is being held prisoner by an evil count in a dungeon in the south of France. Her busband, brother Gregory, is a failed monk who very much reminds me of Everyman in his pride and arogance, and Michaelangelo's David in looks with his curls and frown and above average intelligence. Margaret sets out to rescue him with Brother Malachai (who is an aspiring alchemist) and Mother Hilde (who is a midwife and a healer) in tow. All these characters are excentric and interesting at the very least, their adventures are full of action and the setting in 14th century England is absolutely believable. This is a second installment in the series and I have been praying for a 3rd!!! ever since it came out. I have read Riley's other historicals and liked them well enough but none came close to this one in my opinion.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating!
Review: This exquisite sequal to "A Vision of Light" touched my heart. Riley's excellent writing abilities are both entertaining and enlightening. I hope she will write many more.

Rating:
Summary: A MUST for anyone who loves historical English fiction
Review: What a great story of a gutsy woman of the '90's -- except she lived in the 16th century! I especially enjoyed her encounters with her ghostly assistants. My favorite line from her dead husband: "I may be dead, but I'm not stupid!" This book has everything a great book needs: well-researched history, a little romance, suspense and a bit of humor.

Rating:
Summary: Great Story!
Review: Written in true Judith Merkle Riley style, Margaret of Ashbury goes on an adventure to rescue her husband. The thing that I like about this book, and others written by Judith Merkle Riley is that even though the story is of a rather serious subject, it is told in such a light-hearted, humorous way. Just when you think Margaret is in big trouble she gets out of it at the last second. The characters are very likeable and memorable. This is a good book to read when your mood needs a pick-me up.