THE WULFRITHS. IT ALL BEGAN WITH A WOMAN
A battle. A crown. The conqueror. The conquered. Medieval England—forever changed by the Battle of Hastings. And the rise of the formidable Wulfriths.
A HEARTLESS NORMAN
Chevalier Maël D’Argent lost more than his striking looks when he aided the Duke of Normandy in taking the English throne from King Harold. As much by his own actions at the Battle of … the Battle of Hastings as those of the enemy, he lost his sire and his honor in breaking faith with his family. Believing himself unworthy of forgiveness, his ruined face the least due him, Maël now serves a ruthless man bent on subduing Saxons resistant to Norman rule. But when his mission to safeguard King William’s dignity leads to the rescue of a curiously familiar Saxon woman who causes the empty place inside him to strain its seams, he discovers he may not be as heartless as the one he serves—nor resistant to the wiles of one he ought to count an enemy.
A FALSE ABBESS
In the guise of Abbess Mary Sarah, the illegitimate Mercia has served the Saxon resistance for years in anticipation of learning who sired her. At last ordered to cast off the habit and veil, Mercia is told that revelation of her parentage hinges on acceptance of another role that could see her sacrificed by the noble family who refuses to acknowledge her. When she resists and is abducted by Saxon allies, her savior proves the scarred Norman warrior who spared her following the great battle. Once more, something sorrowfully empty in Sir Maël makes her long to fill his emptiness with what little she possesses, even if his captivity renders it impossible for him to forgive one as deceptive as she. Even if she never discovers who she is…
From the coronation of William the Conqueror at Westminster, to the amassing of the Danish fleet intent on dethroning England’s Norman king, Sir Maël and Mercia’s tale unfolds in the fourth book in the AGE OF CONQUEST series revealing the origins of the Wulfriths of the bestselling AGE OF FAITH series. Watch for RECKLESS: Book Five releasing Autumn 2020.
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Le sigh, y’all. HEARTLESS proves Tamara Leigh is not only a master at writing Medieval Romance but that she’s my favorite historical author! I love the central characters’ arcs, but then the way she so masterfully weaves in the historical elements–and not just as dates (which have little meaning or relevance to modern-day readers) and how this person ruled or that king died–but how those actions impacted the people of the day and irrevocably altered their lives and dreams. But then Leigh isn’t done–just as beautiful as the drinks she crafts and posts on Instagram and Facebook, Leigh also adds that beautiful, tantalizing teaser about other characters who will soon have their own stories. Le sigh indeed.
A medieval romance, Saxons and Normans anything can happen. She lied to him so whats new. Her family lied and used her. His King used him. They both got life without parole.
As soon as a pre-order is announced for a Tamara Leigh book, I get it ordered, put the release date in my phone calendar, and wait patiently (OK not so patiently) for it to automatically download on my Kindle. And then it sits in my downloads for 2 or 3 months. Why? Because once I start reading it, I can’t put it down and then it’s all over and I am so disappointed it’s over. It happened again with a Heartless! It was so good…and now I have to wait forever until the next book comes out.
I loved this book, just like I have loved all the other ones in this series and most of her other books. I enjoyed getting to know the very pensive, yet surprisingly funny and sweet Sir Mael and Abbess Mary Sarah. Their story was so well-written, it didn’t take me long to really get into the book. But this is not a book you can race through and be done with. It needs to marinate and you need to savor the beautiful language the author uses. I am not a fan of medieval fiction but Tamara Leigh has made me one with her sweet romance and amazingly real characters who struggle with problems like someone in our time easily would. This is an amazing book and I can’t wait for the next one.
Heartless the fourth book in this series, it’s the tale of the cousin to the D’Argent men.
Sir Mael is a soul who feels he was the one at fault for all the family misfortune during the Battle of Hastings. He carries the wounds from that battle with him daily.
This story is also about a woman who doesn’t really know who she is. Is she really the legitimate granddaughter of a woman who only wants to use her? Is she a nun or just playing one? Is she a woman who is worthy of love, even though she doesn’t know who she is?
These two individuals struggle with so many issues and so much past. Though they seem flawed they strive to find a better life. Can they get beyond those pains to find acceptance and love?
Tamara Leigh fills each of her stories with pageantry, colorful imagery, intrigue, drama, the desire to right wrongs, strong relationships, and struggles over passions which are too fierce to ignore.
I’m extremely impressed with Tamara Leigh and all she packs into her stories. I truly felt I was getting a beautiful history lesson without it being boring.
Her detail to the history and customs of this era is remarkable. The conversations and descriptions are so rich and full of grandeur. She brings the medieval world, to life. From the beautiful customs and dresses, the characters wore, to the language of the time, there is nothing left amiss.
I highly recommend this and ALL of Tamara Leigh’s books. Her storytelling will captivate you so much, you will not want to miss one of her books! Pay close attention to the ending of this book because it looks like we just might have more coming to us in the future. I know I can’t wait for the next books, but now I’m intrigued to find out how all these series connect. My only request for Tamara Leigh is to keep writing! Please!
Omen of the best readings EVER!!
“Do you think ever it has been and ever it will be this way, Abbess? The conquerors conquered, the oppressors oppressed, no peace for those who but wish to live and love so their children may do the same?” No truer words spoken from Lady Nicola’s lips to Abbess Mary Sarah. They are both strong willed and faithful to their causes. There is so much heart to this story and a beautiful spiritual theme. I loved seeing the views of those impacted from the Saxons, to the Normans, and even the Danes. Of course, seeing the strength of the women of that time period is very refreshing and I love the protective and yet warrior hearts of the men.
Leigh has a way of bringing history to life in the midst of fiction that makes for an engaging read. Beautifully written, this is an intriguing storyline of faith blended with the deception and ravages of war. It was a struggle seeing so many lies, and yet, Leigh gave a greater understanding of how many survived during wartime and it’s impact afterward. She even gives a glimpse of how much convents brought shelter to many. This story tells one aspect of how that shelter may have been used for protection and subterfuge.
“This was not how she would have chosen to escape God’s house. Were she yet a bird amongst the rafters, less harrowing that than being forced to depart the abbey as she had.” As Abbess Mary Sarah, also known as Mercia by a few, is stolen away she wonders if her life will ever be her own. To know who she really is…
“To be where I wish to be, to live as I wish to live,” she whispered, “to be with whom I wish to be, to be loved as I wish to love.”
Chevalier Maël D’Argent finds himself in the crosshairs rescuing his cousin, Nicola and the Abbess (Mercia). His heartless manner begins to change as he learns more about the mysterious background that seems to follow her. As more trouble follows them and they draw closer, God may have more to their story planned than they ever expected. I loved how there connection grew stronger as they shared their secrets and wounds that shamed them. Through this revealing, God brought much healing to them both as they journeyed through His Word.
“ “Then we should both embrace Psalm thirty-one.” In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust, she silently recited as her heart strained toward a man who was not her enemy in this moment and perhaps none henceforth.” This is a story of hope, redemption, and love…of how God can redeem our past and bless us in ways we never imagined. I loved reading Psalm 31 and found it added to my understanding of the story. It holds the promises God has for all of us. That through our trust in Him, we can handle both the good and bad times in life. That we have a hope that is greater than anything man has to offer.
I received an ARC from the author, but purchased the ebook for myself. I have only given my honest opinion.
*I was gifted a copy of this book. This does not affect my review.*
I mentioned briefly on bookstagram, but I normally don’t read books out of order, even stand-alones like this, because they often link together and the reader understands the foreshadowing and fun quips more when they are read in order. That said, I had the chance to read this one recently had a deadline so went ahead and started it, unsure what to expect from the series.
I was shocked to find I loved it from the start, and honestly was so happy that I ended up starting with Sir Mael’s story! Mael and Mercia are both entertaining to read about, and much like many other characters I’ve loved in other books and in the fantasy series I adore! The writing style pulled me in instantly, and the history and brief mentions of events from previous books were well done in a way that I was able to follow along and enjoy this story without needing to read all the books, but still leaves plenty of surprises for readers who do want to go back and read the others!
I also really liked some of the other characters, and although I would love to read the previous books, I am so excited about the couples featured in the next two books as we see one of them early on in this book with the heroine of his story, and the other is mention ed, but hardly scene in this one, but from the first I was intrigued to know more about him. Both books are currently loaded on my reading app awaiting me to start them soon!
This book has themes of hope, faith, redemption, forgiveness, love, finding one’s own place, family, found family, trust, betrayal, and love. I loved seeing how Mercia’s story plays out, and how Sir Mael D’Argent’s story plays into hers. Mercia’s a story of lies, secrets, betrayal, and longing to control her own destiny. She only knows vague stories and the rumors her grandmother holds over her about her birth and who fathered her. She longs to know who she is, and where she belongs, but with her grandmother’s games and lies, that’s always been just out of reach. On the other hand, Mael’s story also has plenty of secrets, but those are the dark secrets he holds, secrets that shame him to the point of forsaking the D’Argent name and avoiding his family for years. I loved seeing how these two played together into weaving a beautiful and fast-paced tale!
I also loved seeing the others in the D’Argent family and especially Nicola D’Argent, Mael’s cousin, and the youngest of the D’Argent siblings. She’s the female main character of Reckless (#5) along with another interesting character we meet in this one that I was hoping would be her partner, but wasn’t sure at first! I’m so excited to see them, and love their parts in this book, both together and apart as they also speak with Mercia and Sir Mael at various times. I also loved Mercia’s friendship with Nicola, and also loved Mael’s newly formed friendship with an unexpected ally upon a Danish ship!