Cat Johnson Braves Doll Lil’s Word Association Challenge!

I guess I was feeling a bit nostalgic this week, both my previous review (The Grand Sophy) and this one are not for new books. A Kingdom of Dreams originally came out in 1989, though I see the latest version has just come out this May. I suppose that is the first hint that this book is very popular in the genre. But here we have a very different type of book from The Grand Sophy. This is also a historical romance – taking place in the late fifteenth century, but unlike The Grand Sophy, it is a book written in recent years with a very different style in mind.


Once again, this was one of the first romance books I ever read, again, handed to me by my mother who said that even a “bodice ripper” (though, really, I don’t think this is a bodice ripper) has its place on a girl’s bookshelf. Well, as usual, mothers are usually quite right. This book still is on my bookshelf, although, since my sisters and I read and re-read it numerous times, I did have to get a new copy.  


A Kingdom of Dreams begins with a wedding. That of Jennifer Merrick to Royce Westmoreland, Duke of Claymore. But it seems this is not entirely a happy occasion for the bride and groom. His angry looks make you think of war rather than love, and her prayers and attempts at celestial bargaining are less than blushing-bride like. Before we can find out if the bride’s prayers are answered, the reader is taken back in time a few months. 


Jennifer and her half-sister Brenna, daughters of a Scottish Chieftain, have been staying at a convent near the Scottish-English border for the past two years, in order to keep them safe while the menfolk are fighting the English. The Scots have been losing battle after battle to “The Black Wolf” King Henry the Seventh’s best warrior – Royce Westmoreland. Jenny’s father and step-brothers visit the girls, and her father makes a special request from her, one she is willing to fulfill because all she ever wanted, was to be loved by her people, to prove herself to them in any way she could, and to make up for sins of the past. 


Yet before she is able to fulfill this request, she and Brenna are abducted by two English soldiers, from none other than the Black Wolf’s very own elite guard! Jenny is brought before the Black Wolf, but instead of showing fear, she shows courage, and of course, he finds her extremely attractive. Royce has a plan. He is tired of the battlefield, tired of fighting endless wars, he wants peace and quiet and knows that these don’t involve a young Scottish convent girl. Well, not everything works according to plan. 


This book is a great read, Jenny was a fun heroine, and Royce, well, Royce is still one of my all time favorite heroes. Judith Mcnaught knows how to spin a tale. This is actually a prequel to her book Whitney, My Love. A book that sparked the creation of a prequel and two sequels. In A Kingdom of Dreams Mcnaught deals with issues of loyalty, family, honor and friendship. Jenny’s endless loyalty to her clan and her family, Royce’s concept of honor, family ties that never seem to let go, and friendship that can lead to love. 


My only problems with this book? Well, as a slightly more jaded reader this time around, I found the characters slightly lacking in dimension. Jenny’s father and step brothers are evil, Brenna and Jenny are both perfectly good, and it seems sometimes as if Jenny is a bit too good to be true. Royce’s men, who are all men of honor… In fact, it seems like Royce is the one character who has well, character. 


Don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t make the book any less enjoyable. You just need to know what you are getting into. A fun romance with a hero that is to die for, and a heroine you wish you could be. I also really loved two of the supporting cast – Arik the giant, and Jenny’s Aunt Elinor, but I did want to scream at Jenny a few times, for continuously believing in the family that so easily let her down, over and over and over again. 


A Kingdom of Dreams is really the perfect example of the Historical Romance. Where romance and history are mixed in order to create the perfect escape. Judith Mcnaught knows her stuff, she is credited with inventing the Regency historical sub-genre with her book Whitney, My Love (which was her first book), and really does create wonderful books, both historical and contemporary.  This book would be perfect for that day at the beach, or just on a quiet day home. Just remember – Royce is a fictional character, and I have dibs. 

Abducted from her convent school, headstrong Scottish beauty Jennifer Merrick does not easily surrender to Royce Westmoreland, Duke of Claymore. Known as “The Wolf,” his very name strikes terror in the hearts of his enemies. But proud Jennifer will have nothing to do with the fierce English warrior who holds her captive, this handsome rogue who taunts her with his blazing arrogance. Boldly she challenges his will . . . until the night he takes her in his powerful embrace, awakening in her an irresistible hunger. And suddenly Jennifer finds herself ensnared in a bewildering web . . . a seductive, dangerous trap of pride, passion, loyalty, and overwhelming love.

Noa first fell in love with books when she discovered 100 acre wood and its inhabitants. To this day, the last pages of “The House at Pooh Corner” make her cry. In a good way. From“Calvin and Hobbes” to “The Iliad and the Odyssey” and lets not forget “Martha Stewart’s Cupcakes”. Biographies, mysteries, history books and romances all have a place on her bookshelves. Who needs furniture? This 29 year old singleton’s dream is to invent the zero-calorie chocolate. But until that day arrives, she tries to create sweet confections with whatever chocolate she can find. An MA in conflict studies (need a mediator?) means Noa loves a good debate, especially when she wins. If she were in charge, books would be free for everyone.

Doll Noa

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