The time of the Norman Conquest is a setting rich with history. There is a built-in conflict between an invading conqueror hero and an indigenous heroine. Carol Townend puts a slight twist on these two prototypes, making them less stereotypical and giving them a nice external conflict. Lady Cecily isn’t your usual Saxon noblewoman. Her…
While the title Rivals for the Crown adequately captures the major historical backdrop for this book, it somehow does not do complete justice to the rich tapestry formed by the lives of Isabel de Burke, Rachel de Anjou, Henry de Boyer, Rory MacGannon, and Kieran MacDonald. From the opening scene in which the reader is…
Even though I enjoy Scottish romances, this was my first Amanda Scott romance and I will certainly say that she knows her Scottish history. Although a novice about this period of Medieval Scottish history, after reading King of Storms, I no longer am. Though I’m grateful to the author for this introduction, as strong as…
The Templar’s Seduction is the first Mary Reed McCall novel I’ve read, though it is the last book in her Templar Knights series, and, rumor has it, her last book for a while. Sir Alex de Ashby is “a man bound by his own instincts for self-preservation above all else.” He was drummed out of…
I’m never quite sure what I’m going to get when I pick up a Lynsay Sands romance. Her books tend to be either quirky and fun, or quirky and painful. However, I tend to like her Medievals – especially The Deed and The Key – and I looked forward her new one, though the title,…
Set in Medieval Cornwall, Midnight Marriage takes place against the backdrop of the final years of the power struggle between between King Stephen and Henry FitzEmpress (later to be King Henry II). After the evil Sir Hugh de Noirville manages to drive the Earl of Liskeard out of Cornwall, he marries the earl’s younger daughter…
Knight’s Prize stands as proof that an enjoyable hero and heroine alone do not a good book make. Rand la Nuit is a thoroughly engaging hero and sweet, bright Meriel of Rivenloch a perfect match for him. Unfortunately, the rest of the story is such a trainwreck that the romance becomes quite difficult to savor….
As historical fiction, I really liked this book. As a historical romance, however, I was somewhat disappointed. Notorious is set at the time of the turbulent reign of Edward II, a period of great political strife and intrigue, and revolves around the relationship that develops between Brianna de Beauchamp and Wolf Mortimer. To set the…
I wanted to do something special for my 50th review for AAR. After reading Susan Carroll’s magnificent Winterbourne (originally published in 1987), I knew this was that something. The Medieval Romance is one of my favorite sub-genres, and they are few and far between. Good ones are hard to find…great ones even more rare. Susan…
A warrior heroine in historical romance is one plot element that makes me look the other way when choosing my next read. That doesn’t mean I haven’t enjoyed a few of those heroines in the past but after reading Gwen Rowley’s latest featuring one very appealing fighting woman who can match, if not defeat, her…
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