Great Bloodlines Converge (The de Russe Legacy Book 3)

The book came across very weak. Almost if someone else wrote the novel. The last three novels came across the same way. What happened to the strong writer from years ago ? Even the love scenes were weak. De Lohr , The Wolf , Great Protector , etc..... Those were unforgettable. I am a great fan of Kathryn Le Veque but I wish she would come back strong and write novels with her former strengh

I enjoyed reading this book but it seemed to jump around a lot. It was like a publisher said the book could only be so long and every thing was shortened up. The book could have been a lot longer. It had a good story line. I was looking for more war scenes or sieges to show us the great beast.

I will start by saying that I absolutely LOVE Kathryn Le Veque…but for me, the last few books have been a little disappointing. The love stories, which to be honest, is usually my main reason for loving her books, but lately have been lacking. I actually liked the beginning of this book, where there was quite a bit of animosity between the H and h; that a lot of times gives a lot of potential for a great love story, but I felt like they never really had much of a story. It was just completely mediocre. They never really seemed more than interested in each other, even after they declared their love. It just didn't seem like much of a love story.

But I think my greatest disappointment was The Beast himself. This book has been promoted to have one of the greatest hero's of all her books, because of his amazing bloodline, and he was supposed to be the best. But you never saw it. Oh it was talked about a lot, how amazing he was in battle and how fierce he was, but you never saw it. Even when there was a potential battle, it never happened. I was expecting to see something amazing, but it didn't happen. I guess I just really miss her heroes like from The Wolfe, The Dragonblade Trilogy, or The Dark One. They were love and action and I really miss it.

I do have high hopes for The Thunder Lord, I have ready the description and it seems to have a great love story planned, and I really hope it does end up that way, if not, I will continue to reread her past books until she releases one that does.

The "Beast." The most powerful knight England has ever seen. Bastian de Russe is six foot, six inches tall, has black hair, a square jaw and sky blue eyes which reflect a razor sharp intellect. But what truly makes this Knight a cut above all the others is his direct bloodline to seven of the greatest, most famous knights in England's illustrious history. Descending from the William de Wolfe ("The Wolfe"), Christopher de Lohr ("Rise of the Defender"), Bhrodi de Sherra ("Serpent"), Braxton de Nerra ("The Falls of Erith"), Sean de Lara ("Lord of the Shadows"), Ajax de Velt ("The Dark Lord"), and Brandt de Russe ("Lord of War: Black Angel"), Bastian de Russe is simply the perfect Knight.

Our heroine, Lady Gisella le Bec, is the daughter of the great Richmond le Bec ("Great Protector"). No slouch in the genes department here either.

The book begins with Bastian de Russe as Joan of Arc's chief jailor. Horrified by the injustice he has perceived from the treatment and trial of the Maid of Orleans, yet intensely loyal to England and his vows as a Knight, he befriends the young girl he has been ordered to guard and eventually lead to her death. Because of his friendship, rumors abound that the Maid has bewitched The Beast, which sets up all kinds of conflicts. The opening scenes of the book, with Bastian keeping vigil over the Maid's last night, her heart rendering requests of him and his witnessing of her brutal death, sets up a powerful plot.

"The Beast" truly grabs you from the very first page and keeps you spellbound throughout. This book is filled with adventure, danger, tenderness, passion, deep intrigue and mystery. It keeps you guessing from the first to the last page, never knowing which way the story will turn or how it can possibly end. Ms. Le Veque is a master wordsmith and her descriptions of the time period are so vivid that you have no problem easily picturing them in your mind or feeling them in your heart. Her characters are rich, well developed, and multilayered. The chemistry between the two main characters was sizzling. There is also just the right amount of humor added when needed. Ms. Le Veque also weaves historical figures seamlessly into the storyline, which enhances and adds a fascinating spin to it.

This is more than an ordinary love story. It is a remarkable story of two people who are meant to be together, through heartache, loss and tragedy.

There are very few authors who have the talent to write such unique, gripping stories which will make you laugh, cry, worry about and truly feel you are part of a rare experience. Kathryn Le Veque is one of those authors. Actually, she is a in a class unto herself. Brilliant!

"The Beast" will stay in my mind for days. There is no doubt I will re-read it many times. For the story and the characters have done more than fill my time. They have touched my soul.

Beast is the PERFECT blend of historical fact and myth.
we see a great knight struggle with the hand he has been dealt and the choices he has to make. a young woman growing to love her husband. and a young king learning to rule. 7 great bloodlines are mixed together to make The Beast. we also reconnect with the great le Bec line from The Great Protector, but most notably, the de Russe clan. if you have read any of Mrs. Le Veques great novels, you will know who all the major players are, and DONT WANT TO MISS THIS BOOK.
we start off in France with Joan of Orleans (Arc), but quickly move into England where Sir Bastian de Russe is ordered home to become the King's Protector. upon his return he is also ordered to marry Gisella le Bec, daughter of Richmond le Bec, (Great Protector) I loved how they met and wont ruin it, but this book has as much humor in it as it does serious moments. it is action packed from page one. Mrs. Le Vequ does an amazing job of mixing historical events into her novels and this one does not disappoint. 5 stars over all, and an epilogue that is worth the wait.

Le Veque can write a terrific story with characters that are larger than life while keeping the reader involved. My biggest complaint about her work were all the misspelled and misused words in some of her other books. She must have gotten someone new to proof or something because there was a huge improvement and I don't know if I saw but one or two errors in this one.

With that said, the Beast was well written with her usual descriptions that make you think you're there, an over the top hero and strong heroine. Le Veque weaves humor, playfulness and sadness into her stories in addition to the intrigue and adventure.
After all the talk about the fine bloodlines of de Russe, there were no physical fights to demonstrate his strength and power. The extent of fighting was a little skirmish with some thugs on the side of the road. Overall, it was a good story with good characters.

***Possible Spoiler*** What was different that I really liked was that Bastian and Gisella got along early on in their relationship as opposed to the usual fighting, misunderstandings and arguing. The way they met was pretty funny and the whole story of the white stallion was good.

This is another great story by Kathryn Le Veque. I have not listen to a book by the author yet, that I didn't love. This is a non-stop listen.My husband and I stayed up to 3 in the morning listening to this book. This book is very entertaining. I liked how the young King is timid in the beginning, but starts to turn into a stronger king towards the end. Brad Wills does an excellent job with narrating, especially with young King Henry.

This book was great! The hero of course was fantastic tho called the beast, the heroin was extremely likable. The intrigue with the Maid of Orleans made for some interesting twists in the story. Just enough historical facts/timelines involved to really make the reader able to envision what was happening. Le Veque never disappoints and The Beast is another fine example of her skills! The deRusse name and family are quickly becoming favorites of mine, second only to the de Wolfe clan!!!

This one is more subtle, more quietly exciting than many of LeVeque's more harsh tales of love among war and fighting. It centers around the question of faith, honor and duty as its hero struggles with what to do with his respect of Joan of Arc when it was he, as her jailer, who led her to her execution. Told poignantly, the moral of staying true to oneself whatever the cost comes through brilliantly... All while enjoying the classic love story this author is famous for.

Kathryn Le Veque does not disappoint in this first of a series. She says true to her form, one of the best in her genre. I discovered her and have rapidly devoured almost everything she has written. Love the character development, even the small side plots make an impression, because you never know when you will see a name again as you read through her work. I am happily awaiting more from the Beast. And just more from Kathryn period.

kathryn Le Veque is one of the best historical romance writers I have come across this book has it all great story with historical truths weaved all the way through the love story will make your heart melt and bring more than a few tears to your eyes and heart so have a box of tissue handy be prepared to get hooked on this authors other works they are all wonderful. So get busy and start reading

Leveque has done it again. The De Russe family reigns again with supremacy. Next to the De Lor family they are my favorite. Great storyline built with factual history. Bastion and Gigi make a wonderful couple along with all the secondary characters and the return of Richmond and Arrissa from the Great Protector. Highly recommend!!

After reading the story of the white knight and the dark knight, this was a bit of a disappointment . It was charming as a love story, with likeable characters, but the language and history are not in keeping with the times. This doesn't hold a candle to those two stories. It's not a bad book, just seems less worthy of her other works I've read.

This amazing novel is truly vintage Kathryn Le Veque. Everything that put her on the top of the charts of Medieval Romance is in here, to the point that you won't sleep, you won't eat, you won't do anything but sit in one long reading session and finish this fabulous novel! You'll love the return to the lighthearted romance, the drinking and laughing knights, the political intrigue, the battles, the in-depth description, the twists and turns and the added bonus of some interesting legend. This is Le Veque's best release of 2014 and you will fall in love with her writing all over again.

Very well written adventure of Bastian and Giselle, Henry VI, and the great KLV families of which her stories are based on. Not as intense or involved as some of her others, but good to know as background information. Pulls all the characters together. All KLV novels are good and this one is no different.

Another great book by the best author that I have ever read in this genre. The characters are ones that you can relate to. Reading about the death that occurred in this one caused me to cry as much as the other characters did.

This is another example of the authors amazing gift of story telling! Kathryn LeVeque has rarely disappointed me. I have read most of her books and I'm always looking for her newest novel. 5 stars given for a 5 star author.

You will enjoy this fast moving book. Kathryn develops characters making them feel like real persons. The use of some real historical characters is special. A bit (violence) graphic but not anything that isn't in history books about European rulers in the early and middle ages. .

kathryn Le Veque is one of the best historical romance writers I have come across this book has it all great story with historical truths weaved all the way through the love story will make your heart melt and bring more than a few tears to your eyes and heart so have a box of tissue handy be prepared to get hooked on this authors other works they are all wonderful. So get busy and start reading