Promise Of The Rose By Brenda Joyce -

Reviewers on Goodreads and Amazon highlight the book's "over-the-top" passion, frequent abductions, and heavy political intrigue.

Mary's discovery of Stephen's true war plans leads to a devastating rift. Stephen, feeling betrayed when he finds her eavesdropping, labels her a traitor and vows to treat her with cold indifference, denying her the affection she craves. Key Themes & Style Promise of the Rose by Brenda Joyce

The story begins with Mary being captured by Norman invaders while in disguise as a peasant. Refusing to reveal her royal identity to protect her family, she is held captive by Stephen, her father's fiercest enemy. Reviewers on Goodreads and Amazon highlight the book's

Stephen is portrayed as a "damaged alpha" who is hard, ruthless, and often unforgiving, a characterization typical of "old-school" historical romances. Key Themes & Style The story begins with

" Promise of the Rose " by Brenda Joyce is a high-stakes medieval romance and the second installment in the series . Set in 1093, the novel follows the tumultuous relationship between Mary , the daughter of the Scottish King Malcolm Canmore, and Stephen de Warenne , the bastard son and heir to the Earl of Northumberland. Plot Summary