My Beloved

Rating:
Summary: My Beloved
Review: In 1249, the Templar Knights held great power in Europe. A knight himself, Sebastian of Langlinais owes the Templars for paying the ransom to have him released from the prison where he was sent after being captured by the enemy during the Crusades. What the Templars really want is the fabulous Cathar treasure, which the Templars are convinced that Sebastian has hidden.

When Sebastian returns to England to consider how to raise the funds to repay the Templars, he sends for his bride of 12 years. Married as children, the couple has not seen each other in years. Juliana has spent the years in a convent and is terrified of meeting the mysterious Sebastian who always wears a monk's habit with a cowl and hides away most of the day. Their marriage is in name only, and Juliana wonders about the terrible secret Sebastian hides. Still, the couple cannot help but fall in love with each other. Will Sebastian share his secret with Juliana - and will it tear them apart?

My Beloved is a unique and captivating historical romance. Sebastian is a thrilling and mysterious hero who is sure to capture readers' hearts. The setting is interesting and adds an adventurous flair to the story. The passion is palpable between the two characters, and their story is compelling. But she could have done better than this.

Rating:
Summary: Great story but a lot of angst
Review: Looking back, I truly liked this book, but I must say that for most of the book I was stressed. The hero and heroine were well drawn and the setting was vivid - not to mention quite interesting! I just didn't relax until just about the end. I like stories to pull at my emotions but My Beloved may have just been too much. If you want a light, fun experience, My Beloved isn't for you. But, if you want to be pulled apart and put back together again, then you probbly couldn't pick a better novel than My Beloved.

Rating:
Summary: Great story but a lot of angst
Review: Looking back, I truly liked this book, but I must say that for most of the book I was stressed. The hero and heroine were well drawn and the setting was vivid - not to mention quite interesting! I just didn't relax until just about the end. I like stories to pull at my emotions but My Beloved may have just been too much. If you want a light, fun experience, My Beloved isn't for you. But, if you want to be pulled apart and put back together again, then you probbly couldn't pick a better novel than My Beloved.

Rating:
Summary: whew! I finally finished it!
Review: Not a bad book...but it just dragged and dragged! The end was anti-climactic. It wasn't till I saw the word "epilogue" that I realized the book was done--finally! I guess Ranney left it off that way for the sequel? (Can't imagine what else she could write about regarding this story...)

The characters take a while to warm up to...Personally, I found them boring.

The sex scenes are hot but read like everything else I've ever read and since I read so many romances, I am a bit jaded and expected more. The scene with the gold dust was pretty cool though.

The Cathar and Templar history was out of this world--I love medievals and anything that has to do with either one of these seldom written of subjects (especially in a romance) is sure to grab my attention. The author handled this well--she even balanced the romance well with it.

But the pace was too plodding. Pick up the speed a bit and this could have the making of a better book (at least 3 stars). Never going to be a keeper but not half bad either. Try it when you are in the mood for something different.

Rating:
Summary: whew! I finally finished it!
Review: Not a bad book...but it just dragged and dragged! The end was anti-climactic. It wasn't till I saw the word "epilogue" that I realized the book was done--finally! I guess Ranney left it off that way for the sequel? (Can't imagine what else she could write about regarding this story...)

The characters take a while to warm up to...Personally, I found them boring.

The sex scenes are hot but read like everything else I've ever read and since I read so many romances, I am a bit jaded and expected more. The scene with the gold dust was pretty cool though.

The Cathar and Templar history was out of this world--I love medievals and anything that has to do with either one of these seldom written of subjects (especially in a romance) is sure to grab my attention. The author handled this well--she even balanced the romance well with it.

But the pace was too plodding. Pick up the speed a bit and this could have the making of a better book (at least 3 stars). Never going to be a keeper but not half bad either. Try it when you are in the mood for something different.

Rating:
Summary: My Beloved - A Poignant Love Story
Review: One thing about Karen Ranney - her storylines are always interesting. I did not love this book but I really did like it.

Sebastian and Juliana were wed 12 years prior to the story - he being about 12 and she the age of 5. The previous 5 years had seen Sebastian fighting the crusades, being imprisoned and finally ransomed out by the Knights Templar. His ransom price was highly inflated for that time because the Knights Templar were not, as portrayed here, the good guys in this book.

Having been finally summoned from the convent she had lived in for the last 12 years, Juliana was pretty much terrified of having to finally assume wifely duties. It was quite a shock to her to find that her husband would ask her to perpetuate a lie and say they were married without ever consumating the marriage bed. Here we have the real core of the love story. No, there was no sexual interaction between Juliana and Sebastian - but yes, you will see how a love, pure and selfless, is built on compassion, understanding and caring. But don't despair, because when you get towards the end you will definitely be in for some very HOT and STEAMY love scenes.

The story was a real eye opener - mostly for the historical value and any lover of history will definitely be thrilled with it. This was a good read, at times slow, but well worth the time.

I will quote from the book, one of the most amazingly beautiful passages Sebastian quoted telling of his love for Jualiana ....."Aristotle was once asked the definition of a friend. He answered that it was a single soul dwelling in two bodies. What is love? I think it is the same. Be my soul, my dearest Juliana."

God, get out the kleenex!!!!

Rating:
Summary: My Beloved - A Poignant Love Story
Review: One thing about Karen Ranney - her storylines are always interesting. I did not love this book but I really did like it.

Sebastian and Juliana were wed 12 years prior to the story - he being about 12 and she the age of 5. The previous 5 years had seen Sebastian fighting the crusades, being imprisoned and finally ransomed out by the Knights Templar. His ransom price was highly inflated for that time because the Knights Templar were not, as portrayed here, the good guys in this book.

Having been finally summoned from the convent she had lived in for the last 12 years, Juliana was pretty much terrified of having to finally assume wifely duties. It was quite a shock to her to find that her husband would ask her to perpetuate a lie and say they were married without ever consumating the marriage bed. Here we have the real core of the love story. No, there was no sexual interaction between Juliana and Sebastian - but yes, you will see how a love, pure and selfless, is built on compassion, understanding and caring. But don't despair, because when you get towards the end you will definitely be in for some very HOT and STEAMY love scenes.

The story was a real eye opener - mostly for the historical value and any lover of history will definitely be thrilled with it. This was a good read, at times slow, but well worth the time.

I will quote from the book, one of the most amazingly beautiful passages Sebastian quoted telling of his love for Jualiana ....."Aristotle was once asked the definition of a friend. He answered that it was a single soul dwelling in two bodies. What is love? I think it is the same. Be my soul, my dearest Juliana."

God, get out the kleenex!!!!

Rating:
Summary: The story of a great love.
Review: Sebastian of Langlinais first came to me in a dream. I knew that if I could do justice to his story it would be the most difficult - and most touching - book I've ever written.

My Beloved is the tale of the medieval castle of Langlinais, a knight who quotes Ovid and questions the world in which he lives, and the shy bride who becomes courageous in her love for him.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best I have ever read
Review: Sebastian of Langlinais is a man of many secrets. He has to outwit the Templars to save his land and people. As part of his plan, he sends for Julianna, the Langlinais Bride. They married as children and she has spent the last twelve years in a convent. This is an unforgettable love story. The characters touch your heart and soul. The book is not to be missed. Dust off a space on your bookshelf because this is a definite keeper. It will be read over and over again until the pages fall out. It is a story that could only have been written by Karen Ranney, with her unique talent and ability to see into the souls of her characters and bring them to life on a written page, to be cherished by her readers. The book is wonderful. Ms. Ranney is an exceptional talent. May her star shine for a very long time.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: She is the child bride finally sent for after 12 years, only to find out her husband demands a marriage in name only. He cannot be touched. If she refuses he will send her back to convent. She stayes. She touches. She discovers too late his secret that is hardly a secret. But then you don't really care by that time.