Knight of Pleasure (All the King's Men Book 2)

Decided to turn my attention to Margaret Mallory’s first romance series, All the King’s Men, while we wait for the third book in the Douglas Legacy. I confess, Medieval England doesn’t thrill me the same way Scotland does, but as always I love Mallory’s writing and the chemistry of her characters. The heroine of Knight of Pleasure, Isobel, stands out for her feistiness and her devotion to self defense by learning swordplay (not a euphemism!). I will definitely be finishing this series!

One of the reasons why i love reading novels based on medieval period is because it allows me a glimpse of a period i would never get to live (i love history). In this respect, i get to learn of what possibly could have happened during that period. knowing the premise, you can then understand the ongoings, the fights, etc.As for this series, I am enjoying it. Stephen - what a lovable rake, irresistible in his outward show of love, pulling Isobel as strong as an intractable magnet. I just love the scenes when he was with his nephew - clearly showing he is not just a handsome shell. Ms Mallory's female characters are always strong, determined individuals, needing to do what they did, even if it means going out there on their own. That is Isobel for you. What a story...

The story was enjoyable until the heroine Isobel refused yet another marriage proposal from Stephen for yet again... That was when I decided that Isobel did NOT deserve a man who treated her well, or loved her, or fought for her! She turned into a whiny, self absorbed, self indulgent brat! She annoyed me so badly that I had hoped she would end up with one of the villains. That's what she deserved after all her immaturity!

Second and third books of trilogys rarely live up to the first book. Not so with this one! Read book one first then this one. This is a great book. Lots of interesting twist and turns. The romance was good. Stephen had it bad for Isobel. After one horrible betrayal by her father, Isobel is pressed by her king to marry a frenchman. The idea being she could spy on her new husband and report any suspect behavior to the king. Isobel is not happy, after a bad first marriage. She meets Stephen and sparks fly between them. Isobel is reluctant to trust Stephen because of his numerous liasons with other women. Being used and betrayed in the past makes her very leary of men. It is a good book. I am starting book #3. Enjoy!

Knight of Pleasure is the second of Mallory's "knight" trilogy set in the early 15th century, the first being Knight of Desire and the third Knight of Passion. I rated the first one 3 stars (mostly for story and character issues). I'm rating this one higher because I believe it's a better story and it held my attention. However, I really do wish she'd start her romances with heroines who haven't had abusive marriages.The first one (Knight of Desire) featured a physically abusive marriage; this one features a 15 year old girl being "sold" by her father into a marriage with a fat, old lecherous man--resulting essentially in a 7 year prison sentence she hated and for which she refuses to forgive her father. Then when the old fart dies, Lady Isobel Hume finds the old guy, Lord Hume, has given the lands he should have left her to another man she can't stomach. So, she allows King Henry to promise her to a French nobleman with whom he is trying to make a political alliance since things are so unstable in Normandy. Before the betrothal, however, she meets Sir Stephen Carleton (we met him in the first book) who is now grown into a powerful and handsome knight who is spying for the king, and sleeping his way through the king's court in Normandy to do so. Naturally, Isobel is reluctant to fall for Stephen fearing he'll break her heart. And then there's her handsome fiance but he's a man with major issues. While living like a rogue, Stephen is supposed to be an all around good guy who we're to believe will be faithful to Isobel if ever they wed.The story features lots of political intrigue and treachery in the Normandy court as King Henry attempts to subdue the French. I enjoyed the book for most all of the story, but in the end, I was so sick of Isobel's back and forth with Stephen that I just wanted to slap her. I think Mallory's writing is well done, but as with the first one, I had some story issues that kept me from a higher review. I just don't see 5 stars here, sorry. For medieval romances I rate higher, see my Best Medieval Romances List.

Loved each and every detail! I felt like I was submerged in the intrigue in Rouen watching it unfold before my eyes! Love Stephen and Isobel, even if she was a bit hard-headed!

It started out really well. Then went to ok and got rather thin in the story line. Never boring just not a good read. It was an ok read.

I love her books. I have really enjoyed the twists and turns but in this book I was disappointed at the end when there was no happy ending for the twins.

We meet Stephen Carleton in the first book of this wonderful series 'All the Kings Men'. In the first book he was a lovely young man with a beautiful smile, sense of humour and charm that undid the ladies, now as a Knight, he is no different....and still charming the ladies. Stephen is a delightful character and has set his sights on the beautiful Lady Isobel Hume. But Isobel has had a dreadful marriage for the past five years and feels betrayed by her late husband and her parents, she just cannot bring herself to trust those closest to her and that includes Stephen. A further betrayal by the King betrothing her to another unsuitable man leaves her on the edge. Will Stephen come to her rescue?This is a fast paced and romantic adventure full of wonderfully likeable characters that Margaret writes so well. As with all of Margaret's books, not only do you have the historical detail but the clever dialogue between these characters, bringing an emotional and sensitive but also humorous outcome to this story. Margaret also describes how difficult life must have been for women having no say in their lives and used as possessions. But it is the relationship between Stephen and his nephew Jamie that is very special. Another passionate tale, I shall be sorry to finish this fabulous series!

With 5 stars given needless to say I liked the book a good story that flowed well and good characters.

Fab storyline, wonderful description of the highlands great ending

Excellent really enjoying this series enough intrigue strong characters and even made me laugh out loud. Better standard of writing than a lot of other historical romance novels. Recommend.

Have read all of the books in this series and loved every one of them.

A great read

A REALY GOOD READ

Book makes me want to travel back in time to Scotland!

das Buch ist ein Büchereibuch und schon etwas älter, aber ist völlig ok. Werde mir demnächst den nächsten englischen Roman bestellen.

Another good Mallory book.