“Adversity builds strength of mind and fuels the fires of success.”
RONE AWARD FINALIST 2018At a young age, Summer has sacrificed herself for the sake of her family by marrying the evil and abusive Baron Mowbray of Suffolk. A few years after birthing him a son, the baron mysteriously dies, leaving her toddler heir to his estate. The king grants Summer one month to find and marry a man of her … The king grants Summer one month to find and marry a man of her choice. But Summer would never consider marrying any relative of her late husband, especially not his domineering nephew.
Sir Warren Mowbray returns from battle to find his uncle has died and with him went the man’s promise that Warren would inherit his holdings. Now, to add insult to injury, the king has assigned him as the widow’s guardian and advisor while she chooses a husband. Once he arrives at the castle, he discovers Summer is a beautiful, smart, determined woman but with a mind of her own. He plans to woo her, but she wants nothing to do with him. He also has his suspicions that the hated baron might have been murdered – and Summer is the main suspect.
Can a strong, determined woman and a controlling warrior find love between them or will they destroy each other first?
Other books in the series: Autumn’s Touch – Book 3, and Winter’s Flame – Book 4. And if you haven’t already read it, be sure to read Highland Spring – Book 1 as well!
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Following the death of her cruel husband, Baron Mowbray, Summer wants very much to choose her next husband. King Edward agrees, if she can do it in a month. He also sends the baron’s nephew, Sir Warren Mowbray, to protect and advise her. The battle of wills that results from this partnership is frustrating for our hero and heroine, and quite entertaining for the reader. In addition to an extremely stubborn hero and heroine, this story contains a conniving aunt, a murder mystery, and a tent city of perspective suitors, a handmaid with a problem, a squire with a rather dry sense of humor, the Ross parents and sisters, and the Legendary Bastards. This story began with a tragic event, but moves quickly to become a tale of life renewed. It definitely holds the reader’s attention from beginning to end. There’s a little bit of everything: intrigue, mystery, murder, new beginnings and romance. Another great story written by Elizabeth Rose and brought to life by Brian J. Gill.
3.5 STARS
For the most part I enjoyed this story. The character of Rigg added a star rating – brought some lightness to the story and made me laugh many times.
If you are a stickler for time period pieces to be that, you may at times be disappointed. The language at times falls into American modern. It didn’t bother me but wanted to bring it to the buyer’s attention.
It was heart wrenching in the beginning when we meet the h. What her truly awful husband did to her is sad. But, at times the h came across as a “b”. I realize she was just finding her voice so she did grow on me. The H is a different character and I liked him. His story line how he won so many battles was very unique (no spoiler’s). That is where the secondary character of Rigg is hysterical.
I read the stories about the King’s triplets and was nice seeing them in this story with their sister/cousin. This is a stand alone story. The author does a great job of filling in the back stories so you are not lost.
There is lovemaking outside of marriage, heat level 4-4.5 out of 5. Described only once in full detail, other times, only partial.
We have some nasty character’s, rape off page (not the h) so be warned if trigger.
No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, romance and steam. (ljb)
Nice easy read. Predictable except for the files book secret at end!!
I like that it empowers women of that era and that there are men out there that can appreciate that kind of women.
Enjoyed it very much.
Elizabeth Rose is one of my favorite authors. Always look forward to reading her books!
Loved this book! Great page turner story, anxious to finish reading !
I enjoyed this book and i wanted the hero and heroine to overcome their obstacles and find happiness.
I just love this book. You never knew how the story was going to go.
Enjoyed very much . Ended up reading the series ..
Original storyline that grips you on the first page and doesn’t let go until the last page.
Suspencful held your interests
Summer’s Reign was a book I read in a boxed set by Elizabeth Rose. It was my favorite read in the set and very worthy of 5 stars. Summer was married young to the older and abusive Baron Mowbray of Suffolk and births him one surviving son. Her husband is found dead one morning in his bed. The king allows Summer to pick her next husband but she must do it within one month and rely on the advisement and protection of Sir Warren Mowbray. Warren happens to be the nephew of the deceased baron. When he arrives, Warren is skeptical of whether his uncle died a natural death. There are several hilarious moments in this book. And Warren has a secret that is discovered by Summer one night. All in all, this was a highly entertaining book with engaging characters, and some not so. I sincerely recommend to anyone looking for a lovely, fun romance set in the Medieval period. Elizabeth Rose excels at this type of tale.
Summer one of 4 sisters married the evil and abusive Baron Mowbray of Suffolk for her family sake and he mysteriously dies and she might just be the reason some say, her young son is heir to the estate but the king gives Summer 1 month to find a husband and marry or he will pick one for her
Sir Warren Mowbray is her husbands nephew, and he is to take her to the king to stay there until she gets married, Will love grow with someone she has no attention to love
Very good romance, with lots of angst and several puzzles to solve.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
Summer was no wilting flower. Yes, she went under the axe for her family, married at 14 to a man to bring peace between the families, but hated her life. Her husband, Baron Mowbray, died suddenly in his sleep. He is a bastard in every sense of the word in his manner toward his wife.
Author Rose depicts well how some women were just commodities in these times. With that moment came Summer’s freedom, but little did she know how to use it! She certainly knew one thing. She didn’t want to be dictated to by a man and with this thought she took over the keep.
The King had already set things in motion for her to remarry. Ugh! She did get him to give her one month to find her own husband. She didn’t want another baron, a man who bedded her over and over, even immediately after a miscarriage. She had several of those. With each one, Baron Mowbray showed her less respect. She became a brood mare without any rights!
When the king sent Mowbray’s nephew to protect her until she married, she baulked at the very idea. No one with the name of Mowbray could be good. Summer has a rather quick tongue much to the reader’s amusement. The narrator does a fine job putting the reader directly in scenes which are highly amusing.
Summer shows her very worse, and becomes quite the wild little thing. It doesn’t put Sir Warren off, however, it only piques his interest and desire for her. He hopes to marry her. She is determined to run her keep, making decisions of her own and dealing with the surfs. We see the mettle and intelligence Summer has.
Sir Warren has a wee bit of a problem he has managed to keep from most people. Only his closet men know. He sleepwalks. This has made him a hero on the battlefield, but here at the keep, he gets himself into a bit of a pickle. Fun stuff!
Funny, ironic events propelled forward by Edna, a disgustingly irritating woman, sister to deceased Baron Mowbray, produce laughable scenes. Narrator Gill portrays this woman well, adding further depth to this character.
There is a bit of a mystery going on which Sir Warren is eager to solve. He doesn’t believe his uncle died naturally. Who did it? Who would gain from his death? There are worthy possible perpetrators. Is anyone within the family also in danger?
I enjoyed the fast-paced narration, produced by Brian J. Gill, being one of my favored narrators with his accents and voice inflexions. The old midwife’s voice and wisdom were high points in the telling, along with Edna, the sister-in-law to Summer. The mystery, the romantic inclination Sir Warren has and Summer’s denial of her inclination and interest in Sir Warren, make for a hilarious, entertaining listen.
I’ll be reading book 3 soon.
Predictable.
Second in the series, and different enough that it was worth the time to read it.
I say “finished it” because I won’t be continuing the rest of the book so I’ve finished what I’m going to be reading of it. The characters were ridiculous and so was the dialogue. I only got through a few chapters before I felt like I was wasting my time.
A great series. Summer is a woman of fortitude and will rise above the life of abusive now dead husband. It’s her turn to marry for love.