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Gangbare naam: Townend, Carol
Geboortedatum: 1953
Geslacht: female
Nationaliteit: UK
Geboorteplaats: Yorkshire, England, UK
Woonplaatsen: Whitby, Yorkshire, England, UK
London, England, UK
Opleiding: Royal Holloway College
Prijzen en onderscheidingen: RNA New Writers' Award in 1989 for Sapphire in the Snow.
Korte biografie: Carol Townend writes medieval historical romances (and sagas) set in England and Europe. Born in Yorkshire, she went to a convent school in Whitby and studied history at Royal Holloway College, London.
Her first novel, Sapphire in the Snow, won the RNA New Writers' Award. In 2013, Betrothed to the Barbarian was shortlisted for the RoNA Rose Award.
Carol's non-fiction writing includes dozens of articles for Writing Magazine and Writers' News, and a portrait of the Romanovs which introduces family portraits from the Imperial albums. Carol lives in London with her husband and daughter.

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The Warrior's Princess Prize (Princesses of the… door Carol Townend

Very good book. This is the third book in the series but can easily be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed the different setting of this one, in the Alhambra area of Andalusia, Spain, during its Moorish time. The descriptions of places, people, and objects were vivid and added to the realism of the story.

Princess Zorahaida is a captive in her own home, thanks to her abusive sultan father. The restrictions have gotten worse since her two sisters' runaway marriages, and Zorahaida has all but given up any hope of marrying. She is intelligent and good-hearted and has earned the love and respect of the palace staff. With their help, she escapes as often as possible to help at a nearby infirmary. She also does what she can to protect the people around her from her father's erratic and cruel behavior.

Jasim came to the Alhambra to participate in the Sultan's tournament. Years earlier, his father had angered the Sultan, who expressed his rage by ending trade with the town. Jasim hopes to win the tournament and speak with the Sultan about repairing the trade agreements. Instead, through a series of unexpected events, Jasim wins Zorahaida as a bride.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Zorahaida and Jasim. His request for her as a bride was an impulsive action. After seeing her only twice, something about her called to him. Zorahaida had only seen him once before the tournament, and that was very brief, but something draws her to him. Jasim is a kind and honorable man, and I loved the way he made sure Zorahaida wasn't being forced. It was a sweet scene, as well as one that showed the sparks that were already there between them. The days and nights after the wedding let them get to know each other, but there is trouble looming. Zorahaida knows her father well and fears what he may do. When her fears come to pass, she uses trickery to get them away, but it drives a wedge between her and Jasim.

I hurt for Jasim because Zorahaida's actions made him wonder if he could trust her. It also hurt him that she hadn't trusted him to handle her father. I ached for Zorahaida because she wants her marriage to work, and she knows that she has made it more difficult. There is still hope, however, as they spend time getting to know each other on the journey to Jasim's home. Despite his anger at her actions, Jasim is deeply impressed by the thoroughness of her planning and her reception along the way. Their feelings for each other grow, but Zorahaida doesn't want to say anything if she doesn't know how he feels. Meanwhile, Jasim knows his feelings for her are changing, but he doesn't recognize them as love. I wanted to shake Zorahaida a little later, as she doesn't seem to have learned her lesson about disregarding Jasim's wishes.

Their troubles with Zorahaida's father aren't over yet. The story picks up in intensity when her father's men kidnap Zorahaida. I was on the edge of my seat as she ended up back under his control. Jasim's fear for Zorahaida, and a little advice from his brother, clarified his feelings and increased his determination to rescue her. There were some exciting twists to the kidnapping that kept me glued to the pages to see how it would turn out. I loved seeing Zorahaida and Jasim finally share their feelings and look to the future together. There was also a surprise for Zorahaida at the end.… (meer)

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scoutmomskf | Jul 20, 2020 |

The princess's secret longing door Carol Townend

Not a bad story of romance between a Moorish Princess, one of thriplets. Her father, a SUltan is tyranimical and she's determined to achieve freedom for herself and her ssiters. She escapes, and encounters a Spanish Knight who has been improsoned and she finds that even if he has a bethroted, the two of them have an attraction.

It deals a certaain amount with the cultural issues but not quite as much as reality would suggest would happen. It's well done otherwise and an interesting couple.… (meer)

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wyvernfriend | Apr 28, 2020 |

Mistaken for a lady door Carol Townend

How did he think she'd feel when he made her run from her father's funeral to a castle where his mistress was the de facto head of the household? Really, it wasn't fair of her to be upset at this all? It would have been a four star book if the hero wasn't completely clueless.

It was an interesting period of time and the characters were fairly well drawn but occasionally the angsty teen behaviour from people who should know better was somewhat annoying and she forgave that wan too quickly.

Gemarkeerd

wyvernfriend | Aug 2, 2017 |

Lady Isobel's champion door Carol Townend

A pretty average Medieval romance with a headstrong lady and a Count who has secrets he's trying to deal with, badly. Previously he married and his castle was let go to rack and ruin while his wife went crazy, now he has to marry Isobel, who he was promised to before, and he's not sure if he can love, love leads to pain.

He ran away because it was too hard to deal with the emotional stuff, the problems of madness, who's going to guarantee that he's not going to run at the first sign of trouble now? He really needs to work through more of his issues before I'm convinced he will make a happy every after out of this.

Isobel is also afraid, afraid of pregnancy and death, she watched members of her family go through it and now she has to face it herself and her fears are basically dismissed. This was a real thing and I can imagine girls fleeing to convents to hide from this very issue.

Gah, communications are important, and these characters really need to work on it.… (meer)

Gemarkeerd

wyvernfriend | Apr 4, 2016 |

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