Deborah Simmons
Simmons, Deborah - DE BURGH BRIDE, THE (Harl. Hist. 399) (4+)
The King had decreed that a deBurgh must marry a Fitzhugh. The same Fitzhugh who had murdered her husband on their wedding day. There was no volunteer, so straws were drawn. Geoffrey, the most educated and serious of the deBurgh family, drew the short straw. With her matted, dirty hair falling well below her waist, and her hand on the hilt of her dagger while her screeching voice spewed out vindictively, Elene Fitzhugh was enough to stagger the strongest man. Thus, Geoffrey deBurgh was greeted by his bride-to-be.
Set in Medieval times, this is a story of irrational fear, deceit, conspiracy, and misunderstanding. Yet it is also a story about commitment, loyalty, duty...and ultimately, love. I was often frustrated at the hopelessness of the deBurgh marriage. But as the story continued, I became intrigued with the Geoffrey's steadfastness and Elene's bewilderment of a man and a family bonded by love—based on values that were incomprehensible to her.
This is Deborah Simmons' continuing story of the deBurgh family that began with Dunstan and Marian in THE TAMING OF THE WOLF. As in all her books, the characters are beautifully developed and very compelling. Each story stands alone, but the author is weaving a family portrayal that will be difficult to equal. I read THE DE BURGH BRIDE with a tear in my eye, a smile on my lips, even an ache in my heart; but as with every Simmons book I've ever read, I finished it with an enhanced spirit and a chuckle. This story is sensual and moving, and I highly recommend it. My biggest criticism is there was not enough of it. ~Mona (monamont@3rivers.net)
Simmons, Deborah - HEART'S MASQUERADE (Avon - 1989) (3+)
In this Regency-set novel, sixteen-year old Catherine Amberly fears for her life, suspecting that the cousin who has taken over her home also murdered her step-father. In order to escape, she disguises herself as a young cabin boy and takes a job serving Captain Ransom DuPrey. This is a fun-filled adventure with pirates, villains, lords and ladies, suspense, romance, and much more. ~Carol C. (angelca@ibm.net)
Simmons, Deborah - LAST ROGUE, THE (Harl. Hist. 427) (4+)
Deverell Fairfax, Viscount Raleigh, and Jane Trowbridge were
united in marriage for all the wrong reasons—having been
discovered in the most hilarious, compromising set of
circumstances one could imagine. But they are wed true and
proper, and they set off to find some semblance of sanity
in their future life together. Raleigh's only memory of Jane
was of a quiet, serious, bespectacled young lady, always
digging in the garden or buried in a book. She had always
seen Raleigh as a dandy, obsessed with his appearance, peering
through his silly quizzing glass. Their skewed view of each
other was just as cockeyed as the way they saw themselves.
This is a journey of self-discovery for "Dev" and Jane. In their sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes hilarious attempt to come to terms with each other as husband and wife, they shed layer after layer of personal misconceptions, misunderstandings and pain. Simmons' fans will remember Dev Raleigh as the dandy, but steady friend of both the Duke of Wycliffe (THE VICAR'S DAUGHTER) and the Marquis of Wroth (TEMPTING KATE). He is now revealed as a complex, yet basically uncomplicated man—even with his emotionally scarred past, he is such a decent, kindhearted person. His absolute joy for living in each moment is contagious and he is happiest when giving. Jane, on the other hand, constantly punishes herself by denying herself anything pleasurable. She holds herself in such low esteem that she refuses to allow anyone or anything to penetrate her protective emotional wall. Until Dev, that is.
For those who enjoy the hero and heroine being together throughout most of the book, THE LAST ROGUE will be a delight. The only thing that prevented this from being a "5" rating for me was Jane's withholding of herself for so long into the story. I absolutely loved Dev and thought the author's development of his character was superb. THE LAST ROGUE is a prime example of master storyteller Deborah Simmons' character-driven plots...filled with wonderful sensuality and a basic joy of living. As I put it on my keeper shelf, I am smiling. ~Mona Montana for Bookbug on the Web
Simmons, Deborah - MAIDEN BRIDE, THE (Harl. Hist. 332) (4)
Nicholas de Laci returned home after five years in the Holy Land, consumed with the need for revenge against the man (Hexham) who had left him to die on the battlefield. By commanding him to marry a niece of Hexham, the King unknowingly gives Nicholas back his only reason for living: a focus for his all-consuming hatred—a living relative of Hexham. This is your classic tale of an irresistible force meeting an immovable object. Nothing goes right for Nicholas, and his new bride, Gillian, gives as good as she gets. The hero and heroine are consumed with each other, and their sensual encounters are powerful. This book has a delightful cast of secondary characters, and it's the perfect example of Simmon's humor, which crops up at the most unexpected moments. THE MAIDEN BRIDE is a very enjoyable romance, and reading Aisley and Piers' story in THE DEVIL EARL makes it even more so. Deborah Simmons delivers again. ~Mona (monamont@3rivers.net)
Simmons, Deborah - ROBBER BRIDE (Harl. Hist. 455 -
4/99) (4+)
What a treasure to read about Simon deBurgh, the fierce warrior who cares for nothing but fighting and trying to best his eldest brother, the incomparable Dunstan. It's a pure pleasure to
watch this giant of a man fall—a man who knows nothing
about love or women, and doesn't realize nor understand why he suffers from ill humor and loss of appetite. Only Deborah
Simmons could find the one person who could be his perfect mate. Her name is Bethia, a woman who is muscular instead of soft, who acts and thinks like a man, a warrior rather than a homemaker, who is determined never to be conquered or dominated—all
the qualities that keep this big, brave knight in a constant state of arousal and confusion.
You will appreciate the humor and great wit of the secondary characters, who drive Simon crazy because they have their own ideas as to why he's ill and do not hesitate to give him their diagnosis. These bumbling fellows also cause our hero to seriously ponder whether or not he wants a big castle and all of its trappings. Simon deBurgh, Knight in Shining Armor, honorable among men, is baffled when his name and title mean nothing to Bethia, who has never heard of his great, renowned family. He is brought down a notch or two when the lady warrior has the gall to believe him untrustworthy. She actually captures him and bests him more than one time. It's a joy to read about a woman who has learned how to use her head and various skills to best one of the fiercest warriors in the land. Can you imagine what this does to his ego? No wonder he is always growling and scowling.
ROBBER BRIDE has an abundance of sensuality, as well as villains and intrigue, but the main focus of the story is the inner struggles of Simon and Bethia as they fight their feelings for each other. He is determined to regain her castle, reunite her with her father, and keep her safe while doing so; and she is determined to stay in control and not be dominated by him. The conflict between these two strong characters really keeps you entertained. ROBBER BRIDE is a treat to read, and it's always a delight to visit with the deBurgh brothers. Which deBurgh will be featured next? Maybe that devil of a sibling, Stephen?—the one who has no cares and lives in a drunken state most of the time. Or maybe Robin, the jokester? Deborah, keep your pen flowing. I'm ready for the next brother's story! ~Carol Carter for Bookbug on the Web
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