One of Jude's more overlooked books, 'The Taming' is classic Deveraux, and you definitely won't be disappointed. Yes, boys and girls, it's even better (in this gal's opinion) than 'Knight in Shining Armor' (though it's a close second).
'The Taming' starts out as your typical medieval romance. Liana Neville is a heiress in need of a husband, but she won't marry just anyone. She actually sets her sights on Sir Rogan Peregrine, who happens to be the realm's most filthy knight. Yep, you heard me...

One of Jude's more overlooked books, 'The Taming' is classic Deveraux, and you definitely won't be disappointed. Yes, boys and girls, it's even better (in this gal's opinion) than 'Knight in Shining Armor' (though it's a close second).
'The Taming' starts out as your typical medieval romance. Liana Neville is a heiress in need of a husband, but she won't marry just anyone. She actually sets her sights on Sir Rogan Peregrine, who happens to be the realm's most filthy knight. Yep, you heard me -- he's dirty and dirt poor. He's also handsome and smart and treats plain-faced Liana differently than everyone else has -- so she marries him. Of course, it doesn't turn out just how naive Liana expects it to, and you'll find yourself utterly surprised at this storyline.
I suppose the reason that I love this Deveraux book so much is that it's definitely a twist away from the normal. The castle that poor Liana is shipped off to live in with her husband is an absolute pig-sty (described to a tee, I might add), and the way warlike Rogan treats his silly, gentle wife made me smile--he has NO idea of what to do with her.
The other thing I really liked about this book is Liana herself. Rogan is fairly one-dimensional overall, but Liana is so very NORMAL compared to most romance novel heroines that I found myself loving her. She's no ravishing beauty or dashing vixen or witty conversationalist. She's just herself -- naive, a bit spoiled, and head over heels in love with a husband that ignores her. She reacts exactly as I feel that I might react myself to a lot of situations -- she's very much an 'Everygirl' for those of you that are tired of the too-perfect heroines of other novels.
I cannot stress enough how much I enjoy this book (it remains on the top of my list of all time favorites).

This was one of the first books that I've read from this author and it made me interested in her style of female empowerment characters. And the way she describes the surroundings and emotions going through each character makes so easy to just visualize in your mind as you read along. I'm looking forward to reading many of her past books as well as any new ones to come.

This was one of the first books that I've read from this author and it made me interested in her style of female empowerment characters. And the way she describes the surroundings and emotions going through each character makes so easy to just visualize in your mind as you read along. I'm looking forward to reading many of her past books as well as any new ones to come.