A lady’s maid and a future chief. Can St. Valentine’s Day magic bring them together?Rory Kennaugh is perfectly happy to remain his brother’s second indefinitely. Or so he tells himself. Their father served as both clan chief and earl, after all, and despite Terric’s long residence in England, there’s no reason to believe his brother will relinquish the title. But his perception of himself and his … of himself and his future in the clan is transformed by a surprising revelation on Saint Valentine’s Feast Day.
Cristane has ascended to one of the highest position possible for a servant: lady’s maid. Only her lady Cait, now the countess of Licheford, has not yet sent for her, and her foolish heart has attached itself to Cait’s brother. She knows perfectly well Rory can never return her love, which is why she keeps her feelings to herself—until the Valentine’s feast, when the traditional games reveal her mortifying secret to the object of her affection.
The revelation about Cristane’s feelings changes Rory, unlocking his heart, and a new challenge to the clan gives him the chance to prove his mettle. But can a chief, or even a second, dare to love a lady’s maid?
WARNING: Rory and Cristane’s love story will melt your heart. If you have a weakness for friends to lovers romance, proceed with caution.
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The Chief
Order of the Broken Blade #4.5
Cecelia Mecca
Rory Kennaugh is more then happy to remain his bothers second or so he would have everyone believe. Their father served as both the Chief of the clan and the Earl so even though Terric has been in England for a long time there is no reason to believe that his brother will ever relinquish the title. But things are not always what they seem. Rory’s perception of himself and his future in the clan will start to change on Sainte Valentine’s Feast Day.
Cristane has been lucky enough to rise in the ranks. She has risen to one of the highest positions possible for a servant. She has become a lady’s maid to Rory’s sister Cait who is now the countess of Licheford, but she hasn’t sent for her yet. Cristane has been friends with Rory for as long as she can remember, but she now foolishly loves him with the heart of a woman and knows he can never return her love. This is why she has kept her feelings to herself until the Valentine’s feast, when the traditional games reveal her mortifying secret to Rory.
This new revelation about Cristane’s feelings change Rory. It unlocks his heart making him see her in a new light. Then something happens with the clan and instead of Rory making his usual glib comment he says what he thinks and proves for once and for all that he can be clan chief. But as a second, or even a chief can this fragile love even begin to bloom?
Cecelia Mecca knocks it out of the park, yet again. She pens all of the action and love that are in a full length book and puts it all down into one novella. I was sucked into this fabulous read right from the get go. Rory and Cristane are such an endearing couple that you can’t help but fall in love with them. They have a sweet love and you start rooting for them right from the start. Once again Ms. Mecca you have pulled me into the Medieval world and I thank you for this fabulous addition to The Order of the Broken Blade Series.
Always the joker, never taking anything seriously, Rory has perfected the role of court jester, much to his brother’s despair. However, there is one person who sees right through him to the innermost workings of his gentle heart, namely Cristane. Stumbling on a familiar ritual, Rory realises that there is more to Cristane’s feelings for him than he first thought and that provokes emotions that he has been careful not to entertain. They were after all friends, someone he could trust to be honest with him under all circumstances. However, once the lid has been lifted from the proverbial box, there is no way to stuff the feelings that have been flowing below the surface, back inside. With the stage set for war and his role within the clan undecided, Rory finds himself struggling with his desires. When push comes to shove, he discovers that he has not been fooling anyone. I thoroughly enjoyed the main characters in this novelette. Despite Rory’s past, his gentle spirit comes to the fore and Cristane is the perfect foil for him. Although an epilogue to the series, this story is a standalone and brings the plot to a delightful close. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Another Perfect Love Story By Cecelia Mecca. The Chief: A Medieval Friends to Lovers Romance is book 5 in the Order of the Broken Blade. I haven’t read such an amazing series since The Highland Guard by Monica McCarty. This medieval story is so creative and very well written. The plot is intriguing and I could not put down The Chief. You will defiantly fall in love with Rory, her main character as he is such a brawny Scot. I don’t know if I would call The Chief enemies to lovers, it is more like old best friends that just realized they mean more to each other than what they though. If I had one complaint it would be that this book was not long enough and I was sad I read the whole thing in one sitting, it was that good. It could have been a full book and not a Novella. This story has friendships, understanding, not believing in oneself, a difference in station, wanting to run away, attempted kidnapping, a fight to the dead and yes love. I highly recommend this book but if you want to get the full story read The Blacksmith, The Mercenary, The Scot and The Earl first to get the full picture. Trust me when I say you will not be disappointed.
***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.
Rory has his chance to prove himself when his brother leaves him in charge. Everything is running well until threats from another clan come to light. He is also blindsided by Cristane, friend, his sister’s lady’s maid and noticing the beautiful woman she has become. But clan comes first and he needs a woman with a title. But a visit with his mother brings him some insight and he may be able gain favor again with Cristane and make his family see him as a leader. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.
Book five in the series brings Rory and Cristane’s story. The author once again brings strong,well developed characters and en entertaining story line. She brings it to life , taking you back to the day with her descriptive writing and vividly painted scenes. It’s a friends to lovers romance with a heartfelt story line. I loved reading their story and would recommend this book/series.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I was so excited when I learned that Rory would end up having his own story so it was an absolute thrill to read it and simply put….I loved it!! When we first met Rory in the previous books of the series, he came across as carefree and not taking life seriously, more than happy to let his twin, Terric, be Chief to their clan. Only one person sees through him and that’s Cristane, his sister’s lady’s maid.
Cristane has always loved him from afar and it takes a St. Valentine’s feast and its traditions, to open Rory’s eyes to her feelings. His true personality also comes out when he must make decisions for the clan in the absence of his brother.
This novella was so well written and considering it’s difficult to develop the characters fully when it’s a short story, Cecelia Mecca makes it happen and gives us a powerful and delightful story for us to swoon over:)
I was given an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Rory Kennaugh is perfectly happy to remain his brother’s second indefinitely. Or so he tells himself. But his perception of himself and his future in the clan is transformed by a surprising revelation on Saint Valentine’s Feast Day. Cristane has ascended to one of the highest position possible for a servant: lady’s maid to Cait, now the Countess of Licheford who has not yet sent for her so she tries to help around the castle. She has loved Rory for years & knows perfectly well Rory can never return her love, which is why she keeps her feelings to herself until the Valentine’s feast, when the traditional games reveal her mortifying secret to the object of her affection. The revelation about Cristane’s feelings changes Rory, unlocking his heart, and a new challenge to the clan gives him the chance to prove his mettle.
An engrossing quick read that I read in a sitting. I loved everything about it, in some ways it was a long epilogue to the series but also saw Rory having his HEA. Strong characters who did some soul searching. I loved how everyone but Rory saw him for who he truly was. A story not to be missed if you’ve read the other Broken Blade stories.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
What a great surprise to get another story out of the Order of the Broken Blade. Cecelia really blessed us with this surprise novella story. I appreciate every word she gives us, but would have loved to have a longer story here. That goes to show how good it is. I definitely could have read more. It was good to read about these two characters who have to overcome obstacles like their very different stations in life. It is a nice sweet love story that I’m sure you will love as much as I did.
A love story for the ages!
I love that Rory was able to get his own story. Roy and Cristane have been friends for years. Cristane worked her way up to Cait’s lady’s maid. Now that Cait was gone Cait didn’t have any responsibilities. However much she tries to help in other areas, she was always sent away.
Now it’s St. Valentine’s day and the traditions they had put Cristane on the spot with Rory.
Rory and Cristane’s is a very entertaining story!