- Shopping Bag ( 0 items )
Want a NOOK? Explore Now
Lady Aubrey has a choice: pursue her childhood love, Ethan, or give in to Ethan’s bitter enemy, the dark and devilish Crispin. Ethan is more interested in regaining his land than wooing her. Crispin loves her, but will that be enough to save her when he discovers she is, in fact, his arch-nemesis, the Derbywood Bandit? What happens when the heroine chooses the villain over the hero?
Anonymous
Posted November 19, 2011
I really enjoyed this book--so much, in fact, that I went back to reread the second half almost immediately after finishing it. Farmer takes the Robin Hood legend and turns it on its head, with an engaging cast of characters. I appreciate a romance that doesn't take itself too seriously, so I enjoyed the puns and other humor, as well as the overall tone of the novel. My one complaint is the overabundance of characters "smirking". But overall this is a quick and enjoyable read. Some of my favorite parts, where the author really shines, are the scenes where the heroine struggles with her growing attraction for the hero
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 1, 2012
The story had some unique twists but the in depth descriptions of the sword fights were confusing and dragged the storys speed down considerably
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 24, 2012
What a great 700+ page story that surrounds Aubrey as she struggles through emotional rollercoaster between the two men, Crispin and Ethan, who love her and the dangerous political nature of the day. Book 2 sounds like it will be just as great as this one. If you love knights and castles....then this read is for you.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.LadyJai
Posted May 29, 2012
Overall story: This is definitely not your average Robin Hood tale. Although it has similar characters and circumstances: a bandit stealing money from a noble on the road in the middle of the woods, Prince John, the sheriff. But I think that’s the extent of similarities.
The story revolves around loyalty, while the title is only scratching the surface. It has several layers intricately woven throughout the whole book. Loyalty to the crown, loyalty to the master, loyalty to the family, loyalty to the childhood sweetheart, and loyalty to your true heart. It will keep you guessing, plotting, and wanting.
I love a deep, psychological, in your head type of book. Books that make you think. Go deeper than the surface. The story and characters all have many layers and Merry Farmer gives it a good show.
Grammar/Editing: I would have LOVED to have been able to do a line-by-line critique/edit of this while it was still in beta. I truly enjoy helping writers become better writers, while they do the same for me. There are a few grammatical errors and POV confusions throughout the book. (“Glancing” is definitely an overused word that left me groaning by the end.) While tripping me up every now and again, they are still easy to overlook because of the story as a whole.
When you are the author and so close to the story, it’s easy to miss errors. Even having a single copy-editor, I could understand some slip through. Heck, even traditional published books still have their own grammatical/spelling errors. But if the author has a couple of really good people, betas, critique partners, that are willing to go over it line-by-line, fewer errors will ever get through. The more eyes the better, right?
Characters: Merry Farmer makes me become, fall in love, despise, loathe, cringe, want, and fall in love all over again. Her characters are not just three-dimensional, they are real--each having a distinct personality all their own. Whether you want to love them, hate them, or both, you will find that you will question, you will want to reach through and strangle them, slap them, or shake them until they wake up. No person is perfect, and nor are her characters. Some even have redeeming qualities, while others are pure evil.
I am not a very fast reader due to my real life situation. I read when I can. I also write when I can. So when the voices in my head tell me to write, I write. When I’m stuck, I read. This book was really engaging, riveting at points. I didn’t want to put it down, even when life made me. I am pleasantly surprised that I found a self-published book, worthy to stand the ground against a traditional published one.
I still fear, though, the self-published world is inundated with bad books. Since everyone can publish, everyone thinks they can write. I hope to find more quality, self-published books out there, like Merry Farmer. This is the first self-published book I actually enjoyed and recommend. If you like historical romance, a strong female main character, a bit of sword play, chess, settings in the medieval era, Robin Hood, and lord/peasant society, secrets, spies and plots, you will enjoy this book. However, be warned, there are a couple of very detailed, intimate scenes that are rather necessary for plot progression. This is not something you want your teenager reading.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.smithsk
Posted March 25, 2013
A romance during Robin Hook times got my interest, especially as the opening scene with the heroine reminds me of "Snow White" on the lam, in the TV series, Once Upon a Time. The characters go beyond the 2D stereotype. The assumed hero has his feet of clay; the villain, not as he seems. It ends with a high stakes of human chess ... not to spoil it. What did I think? I got the sequel. I rated it 4/5 as 5/5 should be reserved for such as Gone with the Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 11, 2012
Without the smut i give it 5 stars.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 10, 2012
My favorite between the first two in the series.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 14, 2012
I debated over the amount of stars to give this one
Overall a good read, there is a point where it slows down
I believe this writer has potential and chose to give 4 stars imstead of 3.
Anonymous
Posted July 21, 2012
Really liked this book. Gonna get the next one.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 5, 2012
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted August 5, 2012
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted November 16, 2012
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted November 2, 2012
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted September 16, 2012
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
Lady Aubrey has a choice: pursue her childhood love, Ethan, or give in to Ethan’s bitter enemy, the dark and devilish Crispin. Ethan is more interested in regaining his land than wooing her. Crispin loves her, but will that be enough to save her when he discovers she is, in fact, his arch-nemesis, the Derbywood Bandit? What happens when the heroine chooses the villain over the hero?