England, 1069. The nation is still recovering from the Norman invasion three years earlier – and adjusting to life under its sometimes brutal new rulers. A young girl trembles in the shadows of what was once her home. Avis is homeless and penniless, and with no family left alive she is forced to become a ward of Richard, the Norman lord who has taken her home.But when King William decrees that … decrees that Norman lords must marry Anglo-Saxon women Avis must make a terrible choice. Either marry the repulsive Richard or else take a chance on another Norman, Melville, a man she has never met.
Soon she realizes that survival in a time of turmoil and war depends on putting aside the prejudices of the past.
Conquests is a brilliantly researched and involving historical drama that is perfect for fans of Alison Weir and Philippa Gregory.
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A very good read!
A lovely story with likeable characters
Good plot twists. Strong female character. True love. Enjoyed all of it. Love historical fiction!!!
Although the plot was predictable. The story and characters were entertaining.
A nice read….
Very historical story of the tine of William the bastard. Likely an accurate description of forced marriage between enemies after a defeat and take over. Great story of strength and finding love and mutual respect.
Didn’t finish it because it was too predictable and boring. I enjoy a good romance that’s well-written and teaches a history lesson along the way.
My first Emily Murdoch medieval romance…. and I loved it! I’ll be looking for more from her!
It was ok. Parts were inconsistent.
Enjoyed this book which had engaging characters and a happily ever after ending
Finished the series. Great historical content while enjoying a good story.
I couldn’t get past chapter 4, it was to boring and long winded with description with no light at the end of the tunnel. Very little to non discussion between the characters, it almost read like a autobiography. I’m sorry but I can not recommend this book at all.
Book gives a peek into tumult created when Normans conquered Anglo-Saxons with survivors’ lives and language integrated
What a enjoyable read! The story and the writing were excellent. The characters were well developed and engaging. The couple’s passionate relationship was admirably described without going into explicit sexual details. I will be reading more books by this author.
This book had a unique spin on things. Happy reading.
Very enjoyable.
I lost interest and didn’t finish it.
I liked the interaction and conflict between the two main characters but the author obviously didn’t research the historical events and era. There were errors on page after page. For example- heroine was daughter of a minor Saxon lord but she wore silks and diamonds at her wedding; she and her husband had separate two-room suites with fireplaces; they feasted almost every day, this when winter was coming; and on and on. All the errors really disrupted the flow of the story and that was a shame.
Couldn’t finish it- simply didn’t hold me.
I looked at the title of this book and its cover picture and couldn’t work out what story it would tell. That had me hooked and I knew I had to find out.
Well, its a love story about two very different people who are forced to get married by a decree from King William even though they do not know one another.
The game as played out by Avis and Melville in their quest to survive is amazing, neither realizing that they have fallen in love.
Emily Murdoch has written a truly outstanding historical romance that is clean, well thought out, factual and totally gripping. What an amazing adventure life for these two people turns out to be.
The audiobook is narrated by Katie Bunn and makes for an easy listen.
The above is my honest and unbiased review of a free audiobook version of the story from the author.