This second chance romance can be read as a standalone novel.Following his heart may cause a war. Is a second chance at love worth the risk?The GuardianAidan de Sowlis finds purpose in guarding his family and his clan. He tells himself such a life is enough for him, but cannot dismiss the memory of the woman he wished to wed. Lady Clarissa now belongs to another man—or so he thinks. When the … belongs to another man—or so he thinks. When the Scottish warden sends Aidan to England to negotiate with the lady’s father, a final effort to secure the peace along the border, he’s shocked to see her. She stops him before he can leave with a simple word: “help.”
The Favor
Lady Clarissa would rather become a nun than face another arranged marriage—the fate her cruel father will undoubtedly foist on her now that her elderly husband has secured an annulment. She knows Aidan de Sowlis, the man she left, is the last person she should ask for help, yet he’s the only one she trusts. Aidan and Clarissa soon discover their feelings for each other are as strong as ever, but her father would never approve, and his cooperation is crucial for securing peace on the border. Do they dare risk it for love?
The Guardian’s Favor is a historical romance set in 13th century Northumbria along the Anglo-Scottish border. If you like strong female heroines, alpha-male heroes, and sizzling romance, you’ll love this ninth installment of the Border Series.
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Book nine in the Border series and every book is better than the one before, I am looking forward to reading the next book. This is a series I would recommend. I received a copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
I love the Border Series and this author. The story gives the character, Aiden and Clarissa, a second chance. However, it is not easy. Clarissa doesn’t feel she is worth and Aiden has to fight for their HEA. Amidst the chance of war, Aiden and Clarissa risk all to be together.
This medieval romance comes alive as the author creates a vividly rich story with her words. The story has strong and likeable, detailed plot and nuance. I enjoyed this book.
Another border series story and just like the others this is fabulously written with exceptional characters, poor Lady Clarissa now that her elderly husband has annulled her marriage she is afraid of what her father will do or more importantly, who he will make her marry next, so when she sees old flame Adam, who has come about negotiating truce with her father the warden, she asks him for his help. What will he do, if he helps her there could be a war.
I received a copy and I am voluntarily leaving my own honest opinion
I just love the Border Series. In this installment we get to read Aidan’s story. Aidan is no rouge, bad boy like Reid (the Hero from last Border book), but he is still swoon worthy! He is everything you want in a man – and at the top of the list is honorable. Poor Lady Clarissa totally deserves a man like Aidan in her life, especially after all of the men she has had to suffer through. You will be rooting for them from the start. Although this is considered a stand-alone, it is really best to read them in order to avoid spoilers and to watch the tension between the border grow. I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
Just when I think a book by Cecilia Mecca cannot get any better, she writes an amazing new story and I am reminded why I love her writing so much!! I am always engaged from the first page and am kept up reading late into the night! Set in the time of peace between the borders of Scotland and England, the truce is very fragile. Immediately I loved Aidan (how can you not when he is a braw warrior who has a heart!) Aidan is sent to negotiate with the English warden to secure the peace and he sees Clarissa, the woman he had previously wanted to wed. Unfortunately her father had made her marry another and she was lost to him.
My heart ached for Clarissa. He father was a cruel man and her husband had been cut from the same cloth, but he had their marriage annulled due to her not producing a heir. What? Good riddance, but the problem was her father just wanted to get rid of her to another man.
When she sees Aidan meeting with her father, she feels a spark of hope that he will help her escape!!
The characters are almost three dimensional in that you can feel their emotions coming through the pages. Filled with intrigue, angst and a love that will transcend, I could only feel my heart melt with this wonderful story, as I turned the last page. Do not miss this book in the Border Series and although it can be read as a standalone, trust me, you want to read them all!!!
Cecelia Mecca has done it again! The Guardian’s Favor is book 8 in the Border Series and what an amazing series this is. Though in a series you can read this as a standalone. Cecelia has really out done herself with her wonderful character Aidan. It never ceases to amaze me how she can write a bad boy like Reid in Highland Redemption to sweet lovable Aidan in The Guardian’s Favor and you can’t help but fall in love with both. Cecelia has a true gift for writing medieval border stories (border of Scotland and England) that I am always in awe when I read one of her books and The Guardian’s Favor is no exception. I found myself in another place and time and the present no longer existed, Cecelia is that good of a writer. I was afraid to put this book down incase I lost the feeling so I read it through the night. This story has evil, kindness, politics, misunderstandings, forgiveness, family love, acceptance, protection, running away, fears, deception, abuse, an annulment, love and so much more. You will just have to read this amazing stories to find out the rest and I highly recommend that you do!!
***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.
https://www.amazon.com/review/R16GUX5ANFJO3D/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8
The Guardian’s Favor by Cecelia Mecca is book 8 in the Border Series. This is the story of Aidan and Clarissa. I have read and loved the other books in this series, but feel you can make it a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Clarissa is in need of help getting away from her father who will plan for her to marry another man that she will not want to do so again. When she spies Aidan her once love she goes forward to ask for his help in getting her to a convent. Aidan has been task to secure and deliver a missive to her father he didn’t expect to see Clarissa or find that she doesn’t belong to another now. Going forth to help her but trying to keep his heart in tack he finds that his feelings are just as strong.
I have been so crazy about this series! I am so happy to get the chance to read this book! Loved it!.
Amazing story! Loved Aidan and Clarissa!
Just how much is a man expected to sacrifice for peace? This is the dilemma Aidan is in when he rescues the only woman he’s ever loved, who was kept from him by her ruthless father. Claiming her now would certainly start a war that would threaten his entire family, so the ever-honorable Aidan tries to do the right thing, but a love like theirs won’t be stopped!
This was an edge-of-your-seat story, filled with unexpected twists and turns and the slow-building sexual tension that this author is known for. The vibrantly-described setting instantly transports the reader back to the ancient Scots/English border, and the attention to detail is superb. This romance will have you cheering by the time you get to the well-deserved HEA. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
A tale of two strong characters who have had to overcome the obstacles life put in their path and reclaim their chance at love. The plot draws you in with twists and turns and a smooth storyline. This series keeps getting better. Definitely a recommended read.
I loved this second chance at love story. The twists & turns made it a real page turning that i didn’t want to end but was glad for their happy ending.
Clarissa was forced to marry then a few later has return home because her husband has cast her off. Now her plan is to escape and go to the Dunburg Abbey, but she needs help. Aidan has been requested to Theffield, not a place he wished to return. Years earlier he had been there that when he meant Clarissa. Now Clarissa asked for a favor and the next chapter in the story of Aidan and Clarissa begins. I love Cecelia writing it has such a rich quality to it. It flows and moves in such a pleasant way. The drama is always moving and will keep you on the edge of your seat. Her characters are so real. This book was excellent and one I highly recommend. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Oh, how I love this series! My other books sit collecting dust until I read this author’s new release. And this one does not disappoint, it’s Aiden’s story.
Graeme’s brother Aiden (2nd in line to chief) is delivering a missive to the father of the one woman who still holds his heart. Left waiting for her years ago, he never knows the reason for her absence other than hearing later that she has gone to marry another. His heart is wounded, but it still aches for her so when leaving her father’s castle he’s shocked to see her waiting for their departure begging for escape. Fate had been cruel to take her away but he accepted the fact that she was gone. Until this moment. So without thinking, he scoops her up to take her to safety. Was fate delivering her into his arms once again or once again dangling something in front of him that he could never have? But he doesn’t think, he offers his protection, the consequences be damned.
As luck would have it, Clarissa finds an escape from her cruel father when Aiden appears at the castle. Desperate to make it to a nunnery before her father finds out her marriage to the wicked husband she married would soon be annulled, her only answer was to offer what jewelry she owned to the nuns for asylum so she could finally for once in her life be free from playing a pawn in her father’s game of power. She knows she still loves Aiden but will not be the cause of a war along the border between the English and the Scots. And she would not hurt him again.
The story unfolds from here and you can read what’s in store for their future in “The Guardian’s Favor.” A book I highly recommend, did not want to put down, and consumed my thoughts while I was away from it wishing I was present to shake some sense into Clarissa. Outstanding read, do not hesitate. I was gifted with an ARC and am offering my review in thanks.
In the Guardian’s Favor” book 8 in Cecelia Mecca’s Border Series we are treated to Aidan de Sowlis’ story and it is a captivating and intriguing story. In his younger days Aidan had a tender for Lady Clarissa. Unfortunately her cruel English Earl of a father had other plans for her and married her off to an elderly Earl. A fated meeting at her father’s castle and her husband’s actions have brought them back into each others orbit as the lady seeks de Sowlis’ help. Ms. Mecca has created another great story filled with period details as well as characters that are well developed, engaging and have wonderful chemistry. We also have the opportunity to spend time with characters from her past books in the series as all involved attempt to keep a border war at bay while also protecting Clarissa from her father. Both Clarissa and Aidan are torn between duty to his clan and their love. How the author resolves the emotional aspects of their struggles to do what is right and to find a solution to their dilemma makes for a beautifully romantic love story laced with suspense and danger. I have had the opportunity to read all the novels in this series and enjoyed each one. I highly recommend Aidan and Clarissa’s story and the entire series.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from the author. It was a pleasure to give my honest opinion about the book.
Could you give up your love for the safety of your clan? Aidan is sent to negotiate with the English warden so the annual Day of Truce between the Scottish and English borderers will continue. But when the warden’s daughter Clarissa, Aidan’s former love, asks for his help, negotiations are jeopordized.
Very good read with lots of suspense and intrigue.
I received an arc of this book.
Aiden and Clarissa have a complicated history and one that is flawed by a hugh misunderstanding. When they finally find one another again, they have several issues to overcome. If only they had just themselves to worry about but there were the clan concerns and possible border wars to take into consideration. They are both put into a difficult situation and have to think of the consequences of being together.
I loved Aiden and how he did not want to give up on Clarissa. There are several twist and turns in the story and you find yourself pulling for them to find their HEA. This is a wonderful addition to a great series.
I received a copy and I am voluntarily leaving my own honest opinion.
This is a fast-paced book with entertaining characters and a well-written storyline. The historical background of the skirmishes and thefts along the borders, is clear and correct, with only a little poetic license. Aidan is such a strong, stable character who has loved and lost in his past. When Clarissa returns, his feelings change from hatred and betrayal, to forgiveness and love. I really adore this series.
I’m sure I say this too much but I do love period romances. Well, good ones. There’s something to be said for the author’s ability to take us back in time and hold our attention there. From the clothing to the language to the mannerisms, we are swept into a different world and that’s where things get interesting. Well, more interesting.
Likes: As with Ms Mecca’s other stories, her leads are evenly matched for one another; often balancing each other out as often as they manage to vex each other. And I really love how strong the female characters are. More so, the female leads are often treated as an equal by their male counterpart, which would have been relatively unheard of for the time but makes for excellent storytelling. And of course, in this story, Clarissa and Aidan are a second chance at love, which makes it all the more enjoyable.
Ms. Mecca has created a rich world of engaging characters who are entertaining and lovable, often despite themselves and this series is well worth the read. “The Guardian’s Favor” is story 9 in her Border Series set in thirteenth century Northumbria along the Anglo-Scottish border.
Another great book in the border series by Cecilia Mecca. This a story about second and even third chances. Aiden is a good man who deserves another chance at a love that he thought was unattainable. Clarissa is a good woman but has been treated horribly by her father and husband. It was great to see them reconnect and once again face obstacles but this time be able to overcome them.