Review: YOU, AND NO OTHER by Cynthia Wright

You, and No Other
by Cynthia Wright

Genre: Historical Romance
Setting: France, 1546
Publisher: Ballantine
1st Pub. Date: July 12, 1984
Pages: 480
Format: eBook; Out of Print

**Please note that the previous book blurb is taken from Amazon and not Goodreads, as I found the Amazon book blurb to be a more precise, straight to the point, overview.**

I’m going to start this review off with two main points: 1.) This is the first Cynthia Wright book I’ve read, and 2.) This is the first imperfect book with a five star rating I’ve ever given.

I know you’re thinking, ‘Imperfect five star rating? Is there such a thing?’ No there’s not, but for this book I’m breaking out of the rating parameters. This is a story that approached dangerously close to be too long and had a semi-whiny and stubborn heroine, but made up for it in the unfolding bodice-ripper-esque romance with a hero I seriously would have transported myself back into history for!

The stage is set with a backdrop of mid-sixteenth century France, when King Francois I had just regained power. During a time when political unrest shook the foundation of a country – and in the mix of it all is the king’s most trusted knight, Thomas Mardouet, seigneur de St. Briac. *swoons* [Hence, why this is the first story in the St. Briac series.]

The book blurb gives the main plot line – so make sure to read it. The underlying plot lines have to deal with the political conspiracies that thrust the king, his family, his court, and his most trusted knight into the foray of political battles. Another innocent, or maybe not-so-innocent, person who finds herself also involved in the goings-on at court is heroine, Aimee de Fleurance.

Aimee had seized a moment to escape a hideous arranged marriage by posing as her sister and riding off on the caravan of the king’s court members. The main problem: the king had eyes for Aimee’s sister. The other problem: Aimee does not have eyes for the king, but rather finds St. Briac very intriguing and appealing. St. Briac, too, takes interest in Aimee, but does not want to act on it, for he is a knight and sworn to the king, who also happens to be his close friend. But, when St. Briac intercedes the king attempting to seduce the stubborn and willful woman that won’t escape his thoughts, he hastily declares his groundless love and declares them betrothed.

And so the story begins.

The tag line on the book is so, so true. “She didn’t want to be his wife – until she burned to be his lover…“

Obviously, any marriage that starts off hastily, without knowing one another, and with a sliver of underscoring resentment, is a time-bomb of trouble just waiting for the right ignition to spark the fire of upheaval. And there are many sparks lying in wait in the surroundings of ex-mistresses, court residents, and political maschinators.

St.Briac is forced to deal with both his young, stubborn, new wife and keep the king safe. Aimee unknowingly has placed herself in an environment that is clearly out of her element, while dealing with a new husband who keeps his secrets and she doesn’t know how to deal with him.

But romance and passion build and build over time until neither can deny a deep set attraction that took root right from the first time they saw one another, and strong feeling of love that seems to manifest and grow.

The characters: I absolutely loved St. Briac!! A fabulous hero, dark and mysterious with a core of loyalty and passion. Aimee was most enjoyable the last quarter of the book. She was a character that started her journey young, immature, and out of her element. But as the story progressed, so too did her personality. The banter between the two is cute and sometimes humorous, and it’s more than obvious that these two have good chemistry.

The writing style: Very enjoyable! Cynthia Wright not only wrote an enjoyable plot line, but her weaving of french words and phrases brought the story to life for me. While the length of the story did approach the way-too-long mark, she did a good job with keeping up the pace and adding in new twists to keep me engaged.

The recommendation: I highly recommend this book to historical romance fans who enjoy old-school bodice rippers! With two protagonists that are well developed and start off the story with enough character flaws, but end their journey scorching the pages with their love and passion! If you love political and personal machinations, you’ll enjoy the sub-plots. If you love passion and sexual tension, you’ll enjoy the smexy scenes. If you love a dark, mysterious, protective, and sexy hero, too bad … he’s mine! The bottom line was, while this book wasn’t perfect per say, it was a five star to me because it truly kept me engaged and gave me all the bodice-ripper-esque components I love in an old historical romance. I’m looking forward to picking up other Cynthia Wright novels.

Giveaway Details:

This post is part of the Bodice Ripper Revival Weekend at Novel Reflections! The winner of this weekend’s event will choose from either an ebook of You, and No Other gifted via Amazon.com or an ebook of A Fire in the Blood gifted via Amazon.com. {The review of A Fire in the Blood will be posted tomorrow.} *Both books are out of print.*

To enter, please leave a comment on this post. For an extra entry, leave a comment on the review tomorrow, too. Entries will be accepted until 6/4/2012 @ 11:59 pm EST. Good luck!