Though based on a solid plot idea, The Warlord’s Bride is one of those books that just doesn’t live up to its potential. There’s no other way to say it: It’s relentlessly mediocre.

Lady Roslynn is a traitor’s widow and King John’s pawn. Her tenuous circumstances leave her little choice but to travel to Wales and marry a man the king owes. Freed from a marriage filled with abuse, she swears she will join a convent rather than marry a man she fears. However, the Bear of Brecon isn’t what she expects.

To obtain resources he needs for his lands, Lord Madoc of Llanpowell wants money as payment for helping King John put down a rebellion led by Roslynn’s dead husband. Instead he gets a bride – one who comes with the funds he needs along with a complicated history that Madoc doesn’t want.

Once Roslynn sees that Madoc is nothing like her husband and he discovers that she’s not opposed to the marriage bed, both give it the old college try. Matters are complicated by Madoc’s temper and by a jealous third party trying to disrupt their peace and cause problems within Madoc’s lands. When her parents show up for a visit, Roslynn has an escape that she never expected.

The plot and characters had potential but that potential wasn’t fulfilled. Roslynn has deep issues stemming from abuse and Madoc is kind, gentle, and patient with her at every turn. She tries desperately to be the dutiful chatelaine he deserves, but, unfortunately, she comes off as stiff and superior and I had no sympathy for her whatsoever. Madoc is the better character of the two, but there was a point where I got tired of his stubbornness. Not to mention that his dialogue often reminded me of Yoda from Star Wars – certainly not the epitome of a romance hero. Also, the villain is a stereotype I can do without.

Staid characters and stiff dialogue make The Warlord’s Bride truly mediocre. Looks like I’ll have to keep pining for the return of a gratifying Medieval romance.