Only lies can keep her children alive…Alexandre is a powerful Norman nobleman haunted by memories of a troubled past. He has sworn never to marry.Elayne is a Scottish noblewoman masquerading as the nursemaid of her own children, sent to Normandy by King David as good faith hostages. Neither she nor her children are who they purport to be and only lies can keep them alive.The struggle for the … struggle for the throne of England between Stephen and Maud in the 12th century provides the historical backdrop for this story.
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Yes!!! Love this, one of my favorite so far in this series. It’s very heartwarming in many ways. Elayne is fierce when it comes to protecting her kids and she has gone through so much unhappiness. Alex attraction to her is just as fierce. The kids are so sweet, smart and connect with him immediately. As secrets are revealed both with hers and the legacy of the Montbryce family the whirlwind of support and love is outstanding. They are perfect for one another and their story is very well written and captivated me from start to finish. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation from the author.
Jeopardy (The Montbryce Legacy Anniversary Edition Book 10) 5 stars plus!
Anna Markland is a Canadian author who knows how to keep her reader’s interest! She writes medieval romance about family honour, ancestry and roots. Her new novel ‘JEOPARDY’ tells the intimate love story of Alexandre, a powerful Norman nobleman and Elayne a brave Scottish noblewoman. Their emotionally-packed journey is filled with passion, action and lots of twists and turns. If you love Medieval romance, then you’ll love ‘Jeopardy’. You’ll fall in love with Alex and Elayne! Her two main characters are so endearing, plus the two little ones are so sweet!
Alex, a man with a troubled past, vows not to marry again until he meets a mysterious lady and her two children, a boy named Henry and a girl named Claricia. Elayne is caught in a political turmoil, and in order to save her children, the three of them have to live a life of lies and assume new identities. Trying to avoid danger, only lies can keep them alive, as she masquerade as a nursemaid for Henry and Claricia. Soon Alex will enter in their lives and immediately fall in love with her and the children. Suddenly, his life will be turned upside down. Will he discover their true identities? Will he change his mind about his true feelings for her? Will Elayne and Alex finally find true love?
This story is based upon the struggle for the throne of England between Stephen and Maud in the 12th century! The historical side has been well created by Ms. Markland to make their story realistic.
*Disclaimer: I received a free ecopy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
This book really grabbed me from the beginning with the urgency of keeping up the deception for Elayne and her children, as they became hostages in the dispute between Maud and Stephen for the throne of England. Sent to Normandy to stay in the care of the Compte Montbryce, who was loyal to Maud, it was vital everyone think the children were the grandchildren of the Scottish king. Just when they had settled in to what they thought was a safe place, war threatens and the children and Elayne are again pawns to be traded back and forth.
Meanwhile, Alex, who thought he would never love anyone, finds his heart opening to Elayne and the children as they stay under his protection. As he deals with the ghosts of his past so that he can move forward with a family of his own, Elayne and the children are once again put in jeopardy. Can Alex and his Montbryce brothers avoid all-out war between Stephen and Maud while assuring the hostages’ safety?
This was fast-paced for a medieval story, but it was rich with historical detail. The dialogue was fairly modern with not much dialect thrown in, other than a few words in Gaelic or French. I think this allowed me to read it more quickly, without having to figure out what they were trying to say.
This was my first book in the Montbryce series, and even though it is book #10, this story is pretty much self-contained. Of course, I am intrigued to read about all of Alex’s family that has come before and what happens with his brothers.
Scottish King’s grandchildren held hostage to ensure his support; at risk—their very lives!
SETTING: Montbryce Castle, Normandie, August 1136 AD. Alexandre de Montbryce is Comte of Montbryce in France. Stephen is King in England while Maud and Geoffrey are in Anjou plotting his invasion and overthrow. To this point the de Montbryce family in France has supported Maud in her claims to the throne, but the Montbryce family in England has changed sides to King Stephen as they think him the better choice for sovereign. As a bargaining chip to ensure the Scottish King David will fight in her behalf, Maud has had David’s grandchildren taken hostage and transported to Montbryce Castle, where Alexandre now is given the children, as the story opens. This is the story of what happens to the children and their “nanny” when it becomes known that the children are those of the bastard son, not the legitimate son.
Woven on the history of the times, Ms. Markland has picked up threads from the other Montbryce stories we have enjoyed, and incorporated them as either remembrances or as the offspring of the major characters. For example, Alexandre and his brothers Laurent and Romaine are the sons of Robert de Montbryce, whose story of being held in an oubliette at Caen Castle when Alexandre was born we cried through in another book. A Cousin, Gallien, is now the Earl of Ellesmere, a place with which we are quite familiar from the opening books in the series. Gallien and his brother Étienne make their appearance in our story as well. (Personally, I love this approach, as I know I can slip right into the story and settle down for a good read).
Of course, it would not be a true Montbryce story unless true lovers meet, and they do! And what terrible obstacles they must overcome to reach their HEA!
CRITIQUE: Wonderfully crafted storylines, blending past with the present for a thoroughly new and fresh story based on this time period. The characters are well defined, and there is a terrible surprise that appears out of nowhere to disrupt the happiness—and safety!—of our heroine. Just as I wonder “now how will Alexandre and our heroine reach their HEA”, when Ms. Markland surprises me yet again with her own unique solution to the problem! Once again, I read right through to the wee hours to finish this book. Ms. Markland does not disappoint!
Jeopardy is book 10 in the Montbryce Legacy series by Anna Markland. Although you can read these books as stand alones, I don’t recommend that. I think you should begin at the first book which is called Conquest and read straight through. I have thoroughly enjoyed each one of these books. Jeopardy is no different. Markland weaves actual historical events all through the story and brings her characters to life masterfully. I enjoyed Alex and Elayne’s relationship. “His warm lips brushed hers gently, but his kiss rocked her. His mouth lingered, waiting for her reaction. She should protest, object, be outraged, but instead she opened for him.” There are steamy sex scenes, intrigue, mystery and humor all rolled into one great book. I was gifted a copy of this book.
This is gripping, intense, suspenseful, romantic and sweet. Alex is an honorable, stubborn, caring and protective man who has never felt comfortable being who he is, the Comte de Montbryce. The distance between him and his father always made him feel like an outsider in his family, he felt that his father’s absence at the time of his birth, and the years when Robert was recovering, was to blame. He had never married, believing himself unable to love. When Elayne showed up with the hostages he was given charge of, he was fascinated by her. Elayne is strong, brave, fierce and vulnerable. She confused him, being a servant but not exactly acting like a servant. He finds out why the night he asks her to be his mistress. But he’s definitely not upset by her revelation, because he’s already in love with her and her children, because they can marry, because she’s not a servant. But because of who the children aren’t, their lives are all in danger. As hostages of Maud, they could be executed, including Alex if Maud suspects him of being a part if the deception. Switching to support Stephen meant incurring Maud’s wrath, but safer for Elayne and her children. Things don’t go as planned because of a surprise twist that puts everyone in a vulnerable position. The trip to the oubliette in Caen that had once housed his father as a prisoner gave Alex a new understanding of his father, and helped heal old wounds. I love all these Montbryce stories, but especially this one because I didn’t cry throughout the whole thing as usual. I would love to sidestep from the Montbryce family and read one about King Stephen falling in love. And Romain. And Laurent.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
Another exceptional story in the Montbryce Legacy series. This one with Alex, the Comte de Montbryce, the chieftain of one of the wealthiest and most powerful Norman clans. He would gladly cede his title to his brother Romain but it was not to be. Determined not to marry again or sire a heir, it seems that fate steps in when he meets Elayne and her two children, Henry and Claricia. She is on the run hiding out pretending to be their nursemaid instead of their mother! No choice for the lies but when Alex comes into their lives, he becomes very taken with her almost at sight! What will happen when he finds out who they really are?
A story of suspense and emotions that will have you turning the pages as quickly as you can. Anna Markland continues to pen new stories that are truly wonderful!
Loved this book. A mother devoted to her children and Alex with his own demons, as to his fathers’ imprisonment years ago and where he was born. Two people who believe they are the rightful king and consequences of their actions. I loved the twins and Faol, some action and the love of a good woman. Excellent story.