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The flesh and the devil Teresa Denys 9780312295837 Books

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The flesh and the devil Teresa Denys 9780312295837 Books

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Tags : The flesh and the devil [Teresa Denys] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. From review - "Set in Spain not long after the time of the Spanish Inquisition, a young noblewoman,Teresa Denys,The flesh and the devil,St. Martin's Press,0312295839

The flesh and the devil Teresa Denys 9780312295837 Books Reviews

Set in Spain not long after the time of the Spanish Inquisition, a young noblewoman, Juana de Arrelanos, arrives at the Castillo Benaventes to marry Eugenio de Castaneda's nephew, the Duque de Valenzuela. Disappointed by her love and angry with her father's plans for this marriage, Juana becomes even more reluctant when she discovers that the Duque is seriously flawed both physically and mentally. The Duque's keeper is the foreigner, Felipe Tristan, who carries out both Castaneda's and his own plans for Juana.
While it moves a little slower than Teresa Denys' other book, 'Silver Devil', the story is similar in style. The heroine is a stranger in a strange place full of court intrigue and plotting enemies. There is a feeling that no one can be trusted and those who appeared to be allies are often revealed to have ulterior motives. Felipe is ruthless in his pursuit of Juana and the better part of their relationship is one of bitter enmity. Juana spends most of the book alternating between desperation, anger, and despair. If you are looking for humor or gentle persuasion look elsewhere; there are none to be found in this story.
Therein, however, lies the attraction. This type of storytelling seems very rare these days. Teresa Denys is able to bring the time period alive in all it's dark, gothic glory unlike many stories where obviously 21st century thinking and speaking characters seem to have simply been stuck in costumes. Like 'Silver Devil', I didn't particularly 'like' the hero (flawed, charismatic antihero) yet it is part of what made the story so compelling which is why I rated this book so highly.
I have had Teresa Denys's two books, THE FLESH AND THE DEVIL and THE SILVER DEVIL on my wish list for years. Like so many others I thought the exceptional reviews mirrored exceptional romances. Written over 30 years ago, both stories are suppose to be the epitome of bodice rippers.

So what is the definition of an old-style bodice ripper? It is suppose to be a "sexually explicit romantic novel; usually in a historical setting and always with a plot involving the seduction of the heroine". Now remember, 'sexually explicit' meant something different back then. I think a better term would be sexually-charged. Women like me, and some men, read these romances for both the steamy and historical story lines. You did not have all the choices that you have today.

OK, so on to my review. THE FLESH AND THE DEVIL is out-of-print and the prices for a copy are ridiculous. As I said previously, Ms. Denys wrote two stories. She then passed away a few years later in an apparent car crash. So I did some research and found a free app, Scribd, where I could read it at no cost. It is set in 1600's Spain and it is the story of two unlikely people who become lovers. And then more.

Juana de Arrelanos, is young and naive when she is betrothed to a Duque. In a nutshell, there is something wrong with this man, both physically and mentally. His family knows this but they need an heir. Felipe Tristan is both a mercenary and the man in charge of 'taking care' of the Duque. He is also scarred and that scares Juana. She has led a spoiled life up to this point and treats 'Tristan' shabbily. But when he first sees her he is in lust.

The story includes 'the virgin and forced sex' and the love and hate that develops between these two. It is brutal and harsh at times. Women, for the most part, were treated as inferior and it was an accepted part of life. At times I felt sorry for Tristan. Then he would do something despicable and I thought Juana deserved my sympathy. Honestly, I felt exhausted when this romance finally came to an end.

I know many others gave it high marks and I respect that. This book took me back in time, to the days when I did not have the opportunity to read everything I do today. For those of you that love this style of writing, go for it. But if you don't enjoy the vulnerable heroine + rich and powerful male character that she initially dislikes = falls into his arms= a fat page turner with plot devices.....then find something else. I read the story and it is out of my system. I have no urge to read THE SILVER DEVIL. It earned three stars for OK and it will probably be a few more years before I will forget, again, why this genre belongs in my past.
This was my second by Denys and it’s another stunningly dramatic story set in 17th century Spain, and a very worthy read. It tells the story of beautiful Juana de Arrelanos, eldest daughter of a successful merchant who betroths her to the mysterious Bartolomé, Duque de Valenzuela to gain a title. But Juana’s heart belongs to her childhood sweetheart, Jaime de Nueva, and she naively hopes to persuade the Duque to let her leave when he learns she is unwilling.

When she arrives at the sprawling edifice that is Castillo Benaventes, she realizes all is not as it should be. She is not greeted by her intended, but rather by his manipulating uncle who assures her all is well, and the scornful mercenary, Felipe Tristan, the Duque's protector. Behind Felipe’s scarred visage are many secrets, among them his attraction to Juana.

A treacherous plot is underway to use Juana to assure an heir for the family no matter her intended, the Duque, is not capable of siring one, for he is an idiot, deformed in body and depraved in soul. When Juana discovers this, she is desperate to get out of the coming marriage, but her attempts are quickly thwarted. In one brutal stroke, Felipe takes away her options, leaving her trapped.

This was Denys’ first book, and it’s amazing. As story of redemption and discovery, it is rich with intrigue and passion. Her writing is superb, her characters well drawn and the plot intricate. The tension remains until the very end. Juana is a courageous young woman whose unwilling response to Felipe reveals she is not the docile daughter others believe her to be. And always Felipe, the strong enigmatic foreign mercenary, scarred in body and soul, is there in the background, pulling the strings. I felt like I was living in Spain, walking alongside Juana as she experienced the horror of the plans laid out for her, all the while dealing with the obstacles in her path and fighting the passion Felipe has awakened in her.

It’s a superbly written page-turner that kept me reading late into the night. Sadly, Teresa Denys died suddenly in an auto accident in the late 80s, and the world of romance was deprived of a great talent. Her only other novel, THE SILVER DEVIL, is another keeper. I highly recommend them both.
Enjoyed this book.