Overall Rating: 3.00 // Action: 2.5 / Emotion: 3.5 / Romance: 2.5 / Sensuous: 1 / Suspense: 3 // Medieval Flavor: 3 / Laughter: 2 / Tears: 4

Being a zealous romance book reader, was looking for the warm, fuzzy feelings that arise when reading romance books. Wanted: {1} to "feel" the emotions and attraction between Stephan and Julianna; {2} to experience the sensual sizzle when Stephan and Julianna made love; {3} to experience excitement as Stephan and Julianna move from one moment of action and adventure to another; {4} to hold breath in anticipation of what is going to happen next. And while, there was a modicum of each of these items, Cody failed to deliver the depth of these experiences that make for a truly great read. Wished that *The Court of Love* was more romantic, not just a forum for Cody to espouse about {1} the lack of control heiresses had over their lives; {2} the difficulties knights faced when dealing with dishonorable royalty; and {3} the differences between the classes (how noblewoman were taught to not see commoners as people).

Denée Cody's first book in "The Mandeville Trilogy," *The Court of Love* is an okay read. A more in-depth, detailed review appears at Wolf Bear Does Books (http://goo.gl/t14SB). ( )