Love was never part of the mission.Lance Wayland has a secret purpose for becoming Stanton Castle’s new smith. He and his three closest friends are the founding members of the Order of the Broken Blade, formed to blunt the power of King John, whose outrageous taxes and unjust laws have taken a toll on their country. To succeed, they need money and men, both of which they can get from the Earl of … can get from the Earl of Stanton. Lance’s mission can only be waylaid by one thing—his interest in the earl’s lovely daughter.
Idalia knows better than to think she’ll be allowed to marry a smith.
Yet Lance Wayland is the most compelling man she’s ever met—a welcome diversion from the stresses of running Stanton Castle and her mother’s illness. She knows the entanglement can go nowhere, their connection grows stronger each time they see each other.
Fate seems determined to keep them apart.
But Lance and Idalia are drawn together like moths to a flame. Can Lance pursue the woman he loves without betraying the order to which he’s pledged his troth?
WARNING: Lance Wayland is a dreamier than usual historical hero who may steal your heart. If you have a weakness for sexy blacksmiths, proceed with caution.
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Reminiscent of Robin Hood, this tale pits a common blacksmith, a hero of the people, against King John and his corruption. Unfortunately, the woman he’s falling in love with is part of that world and has the power to expose his dangerous secret. Filled with dark peril and evocative romance, the story drops you into the middle of the action, immersing you in the world of medieval England.
Four men. One mission— to save England from the ravages of King John
Lance Wayland has a secret purpose for becoming Stanton Castle’s new smith. He and his three closest friends, Guy, Terric and Conrad are the founding members of the Order of the Broken Blade, formed to blunt the power of King John, whose outrageous acts have taken a toll on their country. To succeed, they need money and men, both of which they can get from the Earl of Stanton. Lance’s mission is of vital importance, and can only be waylaid by one thing his interest in the earl’s lovely daughter.
Idalia knows better than to think she’ll be allowed to marry a smith, yet Lance Wayland is the most compelling man she’s ever met a welcome diversion from the stresses of running Stanton Castle and her mother’s illness.
This is the first in a new series & what a series it looks to be. As with all series starters it needs to set the scene for the series & it does so beautifully. The four friends are introduced at the beginning & their reasons for forming a traitorous group are mapped out. The pace of the book was very good & flowed effortlessly & of course I read it in well under a day, as I was loath to put it down. The characters are so well portrayed. I loved Lance & Idalia the chemistry between them was apparent from their first meeting & the air around them fairly crackled, I loved how their relationship developed from attraction, to liking, to love it was so believable. An engrossing, captivating romance, I’m SO looking forward to the rest of the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Lance is a Master Blacksmith and son of a renown blacksmith. He has just pledged and been knighted so to be a member of the group of four friends since childhood, of the Order of the Broken Blade. The purpose of this order of knights is treason: rebellion against the exorbitant taxes and countless other injustices perpetrated by King John in the early thirteenth century. Each has important missions and Lance’s duty is to be hired as the blacksmith to the Earl of Stanton to determine if the earl can be persuaded to join them with men and money. His only problem is his attraction to the earl’s middle daughter, Idalia, who returns his attentions even though both know love between them is futile. When Order member Guy shows up to coach Lance on how to use this relationship in getting the earl on board, Lance refuses to use Idalia. Will Lance betray his friends and their dangerous oath by telling Idalia the truth of his purpose? Or will he use her innocence to set up a meeting for him with the earl thus betraying the intelligent young woman? The pages will fly as these two tell their stories while Idalia acts as mistress of the mansion as she cares for her dying mother and Lance trains his twin apprentices and works to befriend the people of Stanton for his cause. Blacksmith is a very good read!
Here we have the first book in a new series from Cecelia Mecca. I am happy to say that she delivers another great story full of details that show how much research goes into these books that she writes. I love that I feel like I am learning something while being totally entertained with all of the love/romance as well as intrigue involved in the story! It is definitely worth the read. I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next installment of the series!
Such a great story. This first in a series is what I believe will be an excellent series. The musclebound blacksmith and the earls daughter make a couple as hot as the embers used by the blacksmith. I look forward to the next book in the series. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.
I loved the story
The Blacksmith: A Forbidden Love Medieval Romance (Order of The Broken Blade Book 1) by Cecelia Mecca.
The exciting new series “Order of the Broken Blade” is about four friends who band together to form a knight’s order to stop King John of England from his tyranny of policies, kidnappings, and extremely high taxes.
Lance is sent to be the new Master Blacksmith for the Earl of Stanton with the mission to garner the Earl’s support to join their uprising against the king. Idalia is the Earl’s daughter who runs the castle in place of her sick mother. Lance and Idalia both find a surprising attraction between them that grows stronger everyday they spend getting to know each other, until the mission comes between them. The storyline is well written, with adventure, intrigue, danger, great world building, witty dialogue, great in-depth characters, and a steamy romance that will heat up your blanket. Happy Reading
Cecelia has started a new series and it starts with a bang. Lance is man with honor though of common birth. He knows who he is and willing to help others with understanding he can’t have everything. Idalia is a woman of high birth but wants more also willing to love a good man. These two characters are smokin waiting for what is next. What a great way to start a new series. Recommend this for all to read. I received an advanced reader copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
Wow! Ooh la la, I am in love with the figment of another woman’s imagination. Lance is the perfect hero, a good and noble man of conviction’s and definitely swoon worthy . Idalia is everything one could want in a heroine, beautiful, intelligent, kind and gentle. Their chemistry is off the charts as the sparks fly and the pages practically burst into flames. Cecelia writes the most amazing characters ever. Her imagery and character descriptions are always so incredible and realistic. With the stroke of the key she transports you to another time and place. This is a beautiful, enthralling story and a fabulous start to a new series! I absolutely can’t wait for the next story! I loved every minute of it from the first page to the last. Cecelia always leaves you wanting more. Thank you so much Cecelia for this extraordinary love story!
What an amazing start to a new series! Let the Order of The Broken Blade begin. Lance Wayland has just secured the job of blacksmith at Stanton Castle. He is on a mission to find out the allegiance of the Earl of Stanton to the unjust King John. He hopes to enlist him in a stand to fight the horrible King. But, when he meets Lady Idalia, he can’t resist her. This is a splendid story of loyalty and love. You will fall in love with the swoon worthy smith along with Idalia. I am thrilled with this new series and can’t wait to read the next one. Will Lance and Idalia get their happy ever after. The odds against them are great. You’re going to have to read and see. Cecelia Mecca is an auto buy for me as her books get better and better. I highly recommend this book and all by her.
Set against the backdrop of Medieval England on the border between England and Scotland, this author once again draws the reader into a powerful romance with all the tension and unrest that prevailed in that era. My interest was piqued on more than one occasion and I found myself hitting Google to discover more about the history of the times. Lance Wayland makes a wonderful strong, silent hero, whilst feisty, kindhearted Idalia wins one over immediately. Despite the difference in their status, one can only root for Lance and Idalia, trusting that they will get their chance at love, even though protocol dictates otherwise. The Blacksmith is well written, keeps one’s attention riveted throughout, and although it is a standalone, it nevertheless paves the way for further novels in this new series. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
The first book in the Order of the Broken Blade series and I will be looking for the next book. A well written book with a great storyline that kept me turning pages. Lance Wayland goes undercover to Stanton Castle to see if the Earl of Stanton will join them in their fight against King John who is a tyrant not caring for his subjects. Idalia the Earl of Stanton’s daughter falls in love with Lance, they will have a lot to go through before they get their happy ending. I received a copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing.
This book is the start to a great series. I liked the idea of the Order and the knights. Lance and Idalia were well-written characters. I did like the thought of him working at the forge and will miss that. He seemed to like it and did well training his apprentices. I am now anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.
Order of the Broken Blade, four men on a mission: Lance, Guy, Terric and Conrad. They’re dedicated to curbing King John’s tyrannical power and easing the taxes he’s imposed that are choking England, and if their found out they’ll all be charged with treason.
Lance Wayland has a secret purpose and mission for becoming Stanton Castle’s new master smith. His mission is vitally important, a mission he means to complete if the Earl of Stanton daughter, Lady Idalia doesn’t keep him distracted with the beauty and wit. I love the easy banter, friendship and romance that develops between Lance and Idalia. Idalia is intrigued by Lance, a blacksmith, but she knows her father will never permit anything more than a friendship between them. Lance cannot become entangled and loose site of his mission and let his friends down, defeat isn’t an option. A captivating book with intrigue, romance and a love that no longer be denied. I voluntarily read and reviewed this excellent book. A great beginning to a new series!!!
In a time when the populace suffers under the tyranny of King John of England’s rule brave men, and women will join forces. I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in a series that is sure to entertain, if this story is the standard. The author blended history and fiction skillfully, weaving together intrigue, alliances, danger, loyalty and romance. Lance and Idalia are wonderful characters flouting conventions and risking it all, while finding love.
I enjoyed everything about this book, once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down. Stayed up way to late but had to finish it. Idalia is such a wonderful character she is very thoughtful and passionate. Lance is caring of those around him. I loved the action and adventure throughout.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Northumbria, England, 1214 The beginning of “The Order of the Broken Blade.” Four men. “Knight or blacksmith, earl or mercenary…none of their titles, or lack thereof, would matter if they were exposed as traitors to the crown.” An amazing start to this new series by one of my favorite authors in historical fiction. I fell in love with her Border Series and was sad to see it end, but she has captured my imagination and heart again with these beloved characters.
A man on a mission, Lance Wayland has taken the job as blacksmith at Stanton Castle. His goal to find where loyalties lie with the Earl of Stanton and who can be persuaded to join them in the fight against King John. But wouldn’t you know it? A beautiful woman gets in the way of his attention and he is having a hard time resisting her! Lady Idalia, middle daughter to the Earl!
Perfection! Cecelia Mecca never ceases to amaze me with her descriptions of surroundings and history of the times that always make me feel I am there (oh I wish!). The characters become familiar and the emotions come off the pages!
A strong, sigh worthy hero and a lady out of his league who is attracted to him as well. Suspense, intrigue and a brotherhood that cannot be broken. What more can you ask for? Another keeper that will go on my favorites shelf and not soon be forgotten!!
WOW… What a way to start a new series!!! The Blacksmith by Cecelia Mecca is probably one of my favorites but than again every time I read a new release of Cecelia’s I say the same thing. If you have not read one of her book you just don’t know what you are missing. This story is so creative and original and there is nothing better then a medieval border story to catch my interest so just be prepared to stay up all night reading this story, you won’t be able to put it down! Fabulous characters! This story has love at first sight, an illness, forbidden love, starting a rebellion, kindness, loyalties, duty, to persuade, but the real question is can a love that is forbidden be allowed? You will just have to read this book and find out and believe me it is awesome!!
***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.
A wonderful historical romance. A great start to the Order of the Broken Blade series. So well written I felt I was there. The characters were well developed and can see other stories develop from this one. Cecelia Mecca’s best writing.
The Blacksmith by Cecelia Mecca is book One in the Order of the Broken Blade Series. This is the story of Idalia and Lance Wayland.
Lance and his three friends has formed a membership called the Order of the Broken Blade. The friends have a goal to fight the taxes and unjust laws that have raked their country due to King John. They feel that the Earl of Stanton would be a good place to start to see if he would be an ally or a foe. To spy on the Earl Lance has taken a job at the Stanton Castle where he is the master Smith-man.
Idalia is the middle daughter of the Earl and since her mother has taken ill has become the lady running the castle. Idalia and Lance are quickly taken with each other but Lance is suppose to stay focus on his missions and Idalia knows she wouldn’t be allow to marry a Smith man.
I really enjoyed their story and this book. Love this author and hope to read more from Ms. Mecca soon!