“This man was shadow and night. He was Darkness.” Homeless Aliette is saved from punishment for stealing by a mysterious knight. To stay alive, she’s informed by this stranger that she must claim his child as her own. She should fear the dark knight’s power, yet it’s clear there’s more good to this man than he’s prepared to show. Can she break down the barriers of the tortured knight she calls … tortured knight she calls Darkness?
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4.5 stars rounded up
Sir Reynold Warstone is rich, powerful, calculating and deadly. He has been playing a game with his enemies for years, a game he plans to win, he has no time or room in his life for relationships, books are his only friends and his plan to annihilate his enemies his only dream. Currently, he is in Paris, awaiting information before making his next move, when a servant demands an audience. Reynold is surprised by the gall of the woman, but hears her out – she has a child with her, a child named Grace who she claims is Reynold’s and she says she can prove it. Reynold doesn’t believe her until she takes him to see the mother – a woman he did in fact sleep with when he was last in Paris – almost two years ago. Reynold takes the child, her mother is dead and the servant dispatched, but he doesn’t know what to do – a child is a liability in the game, but he can’t seem to let her go. He takes her back to his home and sees a woman being taken by the guard in the market – she has hair the color of Grace’s and a plan is hatched – he will have his men save the woman from the guard, employ her in his home and have her claim Grace is her child.
Aliette is a homeless woman on the streets, but she is not alone, since being abandoned by her family 15 years ago, she has learned to survive and had created a new family, a family she provides for and protects. When she learns that Gabriel, a young orphan she has taken under her wing has stolen bread, she knows this will mean trouble. She tells Gabriel as well as an elderly couple she has taken in – Helewise and Vernon – that she will return the bread and try to work for the baker to pay for the damage. When she tries to return the bread the baker calls for the guard and brands her a thief – but when Reynold’s men claim her, the baker changes his claims and instead begins to toady to her. Aliette doesn’t understand what is going on, the men don’t talk to her and refuse to let her go. When she is brought before Reynold, she demands to be released, he makes it clear, she is his captive and she will care for the child. Unable to leave, Aliette worries for her family, but refuses to tell Reynold anything about herself or them.
When Reynold glimpses her getting out the bath, he knows he is in trouble, he doesn’t even know her name, but he knows he will not be letting her go – ever. Aliette is attracted to him as well, but neither trusts the other – they haven’t even exchanged names – she calls him Sir and Darkness and he calls her Thief. She doesn’t give him any information, but cares for Grace and slowly begins to trust Reynold – not completely, but more than she has anyone in a very long time. He in turn seems to run hot and cold with her, teaching her to read and admiring her, but pushing her away whenever she starts to get too close. Finally, he lets her venture outside the walls of his compound with a guard, a man named Louve who has been with him the longest and who acts as if he is Reynold’s friend. Louve knows she is hiding something and when he learns of her “family” he lets her go to them. She promises to return and they fall into a routine, until one day when Reynold follows and learns her secret. He takes in her whole family and makes it clear that she is not leaving him. But trust is a problem between these two and secrets may do far worse than keep them apart and steal their HEA – they might kill them.
I have been waiting for Reynold’s story since his introduction in The Knight’s Scarred Maiden and he was well worth the wait!!! The chemistry between Reynold and Aliette is apparent from their first interaction, they are clearly meant to be, but they both have scars and have both been betrayed by those who should have loved them in the past, for Reynold the threat of death is daily and he has survived by keeping himself apart from everyone, but Aliette (and Grace) makes him want things he has only imagined, things he hasn’t allowed himself to dream of. I did get a little frustrated with both Reynold and Aliette at times, especially when it seemed like they began to trust but clearly didn’t and clung to their secrets instead of opening themselves up to each other. But in the end, they figure it out and have a very sweet declaration scene. The love scenes are sparse and warmish, but the sexual tension is strong from their first meeting and never dies. I love how this story wrapped up giving the reader closure for Reynold and Aliette, but a sneak peek of stories to come for the reader! I. CANNOT. WAIT!!!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me.*
Her Dark Knight’s Redemption
Lovers and Legends Series #8
Nicole Locke
https://www.facebook.com/NicoleLockeAuthor/
Release date 01/01/2020
Publisher Harlequin Historical / Mills&Boon Historical
Blurb :
“This man was shadow and night.
He was Darkness.”
Homeless Aliette is saved from punishment for stealing by a mysterious knight. To stay alive, she’s informed by this stranger that she must claim his child as her own. She should fear the dark knight’s power, yet it’s clear there’s more good to this man than he’s prepared to show. Can she break down the barriers of the tortured knight she calls Darkness?
My review :
Their Odyssey
When a thief meets her darkest fear, how could these two jaded souls find a way to another’s heart …
This is my first read by Mrs Nicole Locke, and the 8th in her Lovers and Legends series, but never did I feel lost.
It is a love triangle tale, not the usual like a woman having to choose between two men or the reverse, it is a love story with a baby bringing and binding together two broken lost souls.
Mrs Nicole Locke has crafted an emotional and heartbreaking romance between two people so weary of others, they are unable to trust even when their deepest fears are tested.
Reynold has avoided by all means any entangled with any one, until he finds redemption in the eyes of a small underfed motherless child.
For her, he will do anything, because with the speed of a lightning strike, she has caught him unguarded and has robbed him of his heart.
Then by catching a glimpse of the true Aliette freed from her filthy and shapeless garnements, he was struck a second time.
She became his light to his darkness.
Aliette is afraid of the dark and fears loneliness, yes after years of abandonment, she in some ways recreated her family, even a better one, with some persons who might care a little bit for her. Until she is dragged from them and given the task to care for some helpless child. And with it, it opened the closed gate to her heart.
It is a tale about obsession when someone fills your every pores, and you can’t shake them out. It was that for Reynold and Aliette, a single glance and they were made prisoner by each other. Yet, their past experiences, all traumatic leave them wary of others and nearly unable to trust. Why their journey is one moment at a time, one step then two back when they must learn to see past appearances.
« Watch his deeds, then you’ll know the man.’ »
With this one book, I just fell in love with Mrs Locke astonishing talent with words and history.
If you want to be transported for few hours in a far away locations with heroes like the kind we do not make anymore, you are at the right place.
5 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the author, and purchased my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/545011039421405/?d=n
Her Dark Knight’s Redemption is the eighth book in author Nicole Locke’s “Lovers and Legends” series. Although eighth in the series, this book could easily stand alone. But I highly recommend checking out the entire series, it’s fantastic! I’m a big fan of Ms. Locke’s writing and have been patiently waiting for Reynold’s story. Oh my, I think I’ve found one of my all-time favorite heroes! I absolutely loved Reynold and his story was everything I hoped it would be!
Sir Reynold Warstone is a wealthy knight, highly skilled with a sword, a blade and the deadly games he plays. But what people don’t know about him is he craves what he reads in his books; a true family and a home. But his life is dangerous and there is no place for that in his life until he discovers he has a daughter…
Aliette is homeless living in the streets of Paris ever since her parents abandoned her at the age of five. But Aliette is not alone, she takes care of an elderly couple and a young boy named Gabriel, who depends on her and are her family now. When she tries to make amends for Gabriel’s stealing, she herself is caught, but instead of being taken to the gaol, she’s taken to Reynold…
Well, this book was so worth the wait! For those of us who have been following this series from the beginning, we’ve already met Reynold. He first appeared in book five of this series, The Knight’s Scarred Maiden. He intrigued me back then and I’ll admit I wanted to know more about him. He’s dark, mysterious, handsome and dangerous. He really is the most delicious hero, a powerful, brooding man with lots of secrets. As the secrets of Reynold’s past are revealed, my heart broke for him! I do believe he goes on the list of one of my all-time favorite heroes, I just loved him! As for Aliette, she’s not had an easy life. Abandoned by her family to the streets at age five, she’s had to learn to survive on her own, to not trust or depend on anyone. She was a kind and compassionate young woman who would defend anyone she felt needed it… As a couple they both struggled to trust, never knowing love before. Their chemistry was hot off the charts and I believed if they could both learn to trust, they would be perfect for each other. I liked how Aliette was able to get to Reynold, to see the man beneath, to know him like no other! A fabulous couple and a perfect story for them!
This was a beautifully written story of two people who truly deserved to find love. It’s the kind of story you finish and want to immediately pick up again and reread it! With wonderful secondary characters that I would love to get to know better in future books, this was a book I enjoyed from start to finish. Ms. Locke mentioned in her Author’s Note at the beginning of the book that this might be a turning point in this series, but that it’s not the end! I say bravo, Ms. Locke! I can’t wait for the next books in this series! 10 stars if I could!
Thank you Rachel’s Random Resources and the author for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Her Dark Knight’s Redemption
By: Nicole Locke
*REVIEW*
Her Dark Knight’s Redemption is the first book I’ve read from Nicole Locke, and I intend to read more. This story is a quick but compelling historical romance. Take one uber wealthy, paranoid, plotting guy named Reynold, plus a homeless woman with trust issues named Aliette, oh, and a one year old girl named Grace, mix them up, and you get a family waiting to happen. Don’t tell the characters that, though, because they will vehemently disagree. Reynold and Aliette are in a position to help each other. During this time of mutual agreement, the chemistry between them is obvious, but they push it away. Both are coping with painful pasts, including abandonment issues, not trusting anyone and having no hope that something good might happen to either of them. The baby, Grace, is the glue that binds Reynold and Aliette together, and she may be the key that unlocks their future. The story is indeed about redemption and learning to love and trust again. It is well written with a perfect pace, and the characters are engaging, dynamic and complement each other nicely. I like the premise because it’s a bit different. Overall, I enjoyed reading this story and highly recommend for historical romance readers.
I enjoyed the main characters and their eventual romance a lot in this story, but felt there was too much left open ended to feel completely satisfied. I’m sure further books in the series will answer some of the issues, but I wanted a little more of a conclusion in the development of this one.
Oh, my! Oh, my! Oh, my! Nicole Locke, you have out completely outdone yourself!! You have well and truly cemented yourself as the best Medieval Romance Author!! This is – well, I honestly don’t have the words to fully describe the wealth of emotion that is swimming through me at the moment. There are words that I could brandish about to describe just how extraordinarily good this book is; such as amazing, flawless, stunning, inspiring, beautiful, dark, delicious, deadly, gorgeous, sexy – Hmmm, I may have just described the delectable hero there! – but honestly, this is just too damn good, that my little brain can’t handle it. I am a wreck, I am a simmering cauldron of emotion!
I love how different this is from the other books in the series, it is far darker then what I have read before from Nicole, and the sexual chemistry between Aliette and Reynold is like sparks shooting from a blazing fire, it’s sizzlingly hot, there may not be a lot of bedroom action but the attraction between our couple is instant, the air crackles like thunder and lightening around them as they both are consumed with lust for the other. Every scene is full of heated glances and a tingling tension that even the reader can feel running down their backs and then there is this beautiful sweetness between them, times where he is human his love of reading and teaching her to read made me not only swoon but fall in love with him that little bit more.
Reynold – those who have been following this series may remember him from ‘The Knights Scarred Maiden’ and if you’re like me then you would have been avidly awaiting his story and oh my!! I cannot begin to express how much I adore this dangerously dark and deadly man, you know me I do love a bad boy especially one who not only needs to learn to love and trust but needs love to unfreeze his frozen heart…Sigh! Honestly, this lone wolf is a menace, how am I ever to look at another hero again? I am ruined, who wants a clean-shaven goody-two-shoes when there is a dark knight with a nice backside lurking in the shadows?
Hmmm, it seems my waffling and lurid thoughts have well and truly taken over this review, I have just realised that I haven’t actually said anything about the book…stop perving on Reynold and get on with the review!!!
Reynold is wealthy, powerful, manipulative, dangerous with a hunger for vengeance and blood, in some way another he has been playing deadly games with his enemies for as long as he can remember, a game that continues and one that he is determined to win whatever the costs – that is until a little surprise lands in his lap, in the form of a scrawny little girl by the name of Grace who the strange women who arrive with her claims is his, being the super cynical and menacing creature that he is, he has to stop himself from killing the old woman on the spot as he doesn’t trust or believe a word she says. But he soon learns the truth, and little Grace finds herself in the care of her broodingly handsome predator of a father. In the care of a man who has a hardened fragile heart and too many secrets and shadows.
Now he has Grace in his care, what is he going to do with her? His lifestyle of devilment and games isn’t the place for a baby, plus he knows that the moment anyone of his enemies finds out about her, she will be in huge danger – something that our cunning plotter will not hear of – especially if his family learn how quickly she has become his Achilles heel.
Oh, I have to mention that scene when Aliette meets him and he is holding Grace close to his well-formed chest…sigh that could melt any heart!
Our heroine Aliette is currently homeless, she is a really good young woman, she is resilient and a survivor. She has taken under her wing an elderly couple who have found themselves in difficulty and a young thief; Gabriel, the four of them have become a little family. Being abandoned by her birth family many years ago, Aliette knows more than most the importance of sticking together to survive. It is because of young Gabriel that puts Aliette into the sphere of our brutally gorgeous mastermind, she is taken from the street and thrust into the calculating gaze of Reynold. She is the answer to his problem of what to do with Grace, and he will damn well make sure that Aliette complies with his scheme.
Aliette can’t trust the seething cauldron of danger that is standing looking at her as though she were a piece of meat, she is unnerved by him and incredibly attune to her primal womanly feelings for him, she is instantly attracted to him but not enough to tell him who she is or anything about herself of her life, and especially not about her little family who depends on her. No matter how much she demands he release her he refuses instead offers her a pretty odd position in his household.
I won’t say too much, but throughout the book, we are kept on this constant dizzying will they open up to each other or won’t they, it is mesmerising and ….well too damn good!
As it says in the authors note, this is a turning in direction to the Lovers and Legends series, and I am really loving where this is going, and cannot wait for more especially mesmerizing mercenary Knight; Louvre, now he is a man that I really can’t wait to get to know – you know me I have a one-track mind and you all know that I was drawn to the rougher and rugged heroes, which explains why I was so taken with Reynold. But Louve, I feel will be different, he has that ferocious and dangerous side, But I think there is something else simmering beneath the surface.
I love the really dark and brooding feel of this book, like the hero it has a really different feel to it then the other’s in the series, it is a lot edgier then Nicole’s other work and I utterly love the new direction her writing and this series is going in. Anyone who knows me knows that more Gothic feel romances are my Achilles heel I love the brooding and the dangerous feeling that you really can only get from a well written Gothic, historical romance and this is easily the finest I have read. From that first chapter when we meet the darkness himself you know you are going to be in for a real deadly threat. Every page is like walking along a spiders web to get to the finale, to your Knight but along the way you are unsure if at any moment you are going to either fall to your doom or be captured by the spider in search of her dinner.
This will probably sound a wee bit odd, but at times I was so wrapped up in the story that I forgot I was reading a romance. Usually, you know that the characters are going to have their happily ever after, and all will be well once they have got past their own issues, but here the question of whether or not they would actually allow the other in was constant, it kept me glued. I was completely taken in with them, I loved getting to know Aliette and Reynold as individuals and as a couple, they are fabulous!
I think you may be able to guess how much I loved this book, I could keep whittling on and on about how amazing, seductive, tantalizing this book is, but I really don’t want to sound like a broken record, I’ll just finish with – Read This Book!!!