She is the daughter of his enemy…and the keeper of his heart.Richard de Claiborne, the dark earl of Dunsmore, serves King Edward Plantagenet well. Sworn to obey his king’s every order, he nevertheless chafes at the command he wed the daughter of his enemy–a man who slew his father in cold blood. But King Edward wants peace in his lands, and he will stop at nothing to get it. If he has to order … get it. If he has to order his most powerful Marcher lord to marry a Welsh princess, he considers it a small price to pay.
Princess Gwenllian is a political pawn. When she’s forced to marry the evil Black Hawk de Claiborne, she quakes at his fierceness and brutality. But she does her duty to her father and her people, knowing she will never surrender to her enemy.
In the halls of Black Hawk’s great keep, Gwen glimpses a man who can be tender and passionate—and who teaches her about breathtaking sensuality and a desire so great it threatens every vow she ever made to keep her heart locked tight.
As war once more looms between Wales and England, Gwen realizes a terrible truth: she’s in love with the enemy. When long-buried secrets threaten to destroy her fragile happiness, she must make a terrible choice—or watch the man she loves sacrifice his life to save hers…
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I really enjoyed this book!
A story of loyalty, love, hatred and lies in medieval Wales- the Black Night is forced to take a bride by his king, and the bride is forced to accept. From an inauspicious start comes a love so powerful allegiance and fealty will be challenged. Great story and characters.
I enjoyed how this story took me back to some of the historical romances I read when I was first introduced to romance. It did lack some of the raw grittiness of some of my favorites, but it was a nice trip into the past. With a lot more steam, it held fast to the relationship angst that addicted me back in the day, and it will have you wanting to smack some sense into one or both of these characters.
There is a lot of push and pull in this enemies-to-lovers story as well as a good dose of political intrigue. It’s a very well written lengthier book that didn’t bog down, which was a nice surprise. I did find the ending to be a bit over the top and a few things had me rolling my eyes, and then rolling them again. Overall, however, I enjoyed this very much.
This book has no real plot. For the first half Gwen dreams of having sex with Richard and Richard dreams of having sex with Gwen. Then they’re married and they have sex all the time. There’s some angst: does s/he really love me or am I being betrayed? Subplots? King Edward Is trying to subjugate Wales. Prince Lewellen tries to make treaties work but his brother Lord Daffyd traitorously changes sides multiple times for gold. Edward wins in Wales and Gwen and Richard have more sex. A few minor characters show up between the sex scenes.
Jesu….good read kinda slow but ok
Hard to put down. Loved this book
Best Captivating steamy romance novel!! I enjoyed the well written storyline, which had grit and meaning. All the while, this story held great characters, full of passion and substance. Well written!!
An English knight is given a Welsh Bride, but the marriage is delayed for three years. Obsession, hate and desire, amid the conflict between England and Wales, empower an English knight and his bride to find love. Excellent love story.
A good historical romance centering around Wales’ battles for independence from England. Interesting plot that’s rich in historical detail with two very likeable main characters. Just be forewarned – the romance in this book is pretty explicit – so if you’re looking for something more “demure” you may want to choose something else. My only critical observation with the book was that it originally portrays the knight as a crusader, but his frequent blasphemy (almost every third sentence) takes away from his character. A devout man would not constantly take the Lord’s name in vain like that, but I suppose not all crusaders were righteous men. For me, personally, it made him less appealing, but overall, a decent book.
I could not put this one down. Wild has done her research and gives the tale of Richard de Clairborne and his wild cat of a Welsh wife new and exciting blood.
Reading how Richard and Gwen battle themselves as they fall in love with each other is a treat. The passion between them is palpable. If Wild wrote what she knows, she’s a very lucky woman indeed.
The villains of the story (because every romance needs at least two, maybe three, right?) get their comeuppance in delightfully entertaining ways. Well, Anne does…nothing entertaining about Dyffd’s gruesome but historically accurate death.
If I had to liken Wild’s writing, I’d have to say she’s the romance novel’s version of Sharon Kay Penman, whose books on the Welsh struggle I adore.
This is the second time I have read this book and didn’t realize it until more than half way thru. It is a passionate love story.
lost intrest
This is a book I could not put down. I read till the early hours of the morning to finish. I wish she had more books. Loved.
Vast amounts of sex made it seem more like filler than part of the story. Kept disrupting the story flow.
Loved this story, you experience a lot of emotions!
When love is true and the other thinks of the person they love they become so much a part of each other do cannot live a part
It was soul wrenching. Especially the ending. The Dark Knight was willing to give up all he had to be with his captive bride. I love a good romance. I can say without reserve this was one. Hated to put it down. Thank goodness it had a happy ending for a minute I thought it wouldn’t. You’ll have to read it to why I thought that no peeking.
I enjoy books about this time period and it did not disappoint!
I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. My emotions were up and down with this book. I love the fact the female character is strong. Even though during her time many females needed to seem fragile. She was fragile in some ways, but when it came to speaking her mind she did not hold back.
Used the language of the time period! A love worth having. A real person flaws and all for the hero