Ranulf Ombrier’s fame throughout England for his skill at swordplay is rivaled only by his notoriety as King Edward I’s favorite killer. Ranulf’s actions have gained him lands, title, and a lasting reputation as a hired butcher. But after years of doing his king’s bidding, he begins to fear for his mortal soul and follows his conscience away from Edward, all the way to the wilds of Wales.
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Gwenllian of Ruardean, Welsh daughter of a powerful Marcher lord, has every reason to leave Ranulf for dead when one of her men nearly kills him. As a girl she was married by proxy to a man Ranulf murdered, only to become a widow before she ever met her groom. In the years since, she has shunned the life of a lady, instead studying warfare and combat at her mother’s behest. But she has also studied healing and this, with her sense of duty to knightly virtues, leads her to tend to Ranulf’s wounds.
Saving her enemy’s life comes with consequences, and Gwenllian and Ranulf are soon caught up in dangerous intrigue. Forced together by political machinations, they discover a kinship of spirit and a surprising, intense desire. But even hard-won love cannot thrive when loyalties are divided and the winds of rebellion sweep the land.
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Elizabeth Kingston has opened up a wonderful world with The King’s Man, giving us a glimpse of life in the times of King Edward I. Her hero Ranulf and her heroine Gwenllian begin their journey very much as enemies. There is suspicion and unease on both sides when Gwenllian’s men encounter Ranulf, who has a reputation for being the king’s butcher. The author takes us on a delicious journey as these two foes find common ground and discover an unlikely attraction, one that flares into heat. This is a romance I’ll remember for a long time, and I recommend it to anyone wanting a good escape.
Set in Wales, beginning in 1280, this is the story of Ranulf Ombrier, King Edward I’s favorite killer, famous for his skill with a sword. After years of doing his king’s bidding, he begins to fear for his mortal soul and follows his conscience to the wilds of Wales.
When one of Gwenllian of Ruardean’s men nearly kills Ranulf, as a Welsh daughter of a powerful Marcher lord, she has every reason to leave Ranulf for dead, but instead, she heals him. As a girl she was married by proxy to a man Ranulf murdered, making her a widow before she ever met her groom. In the years since she has studied warfare and the healing arts.
I loved the characters and the history woven into this wonderfully written tale. It’s such a good story. Gwenllian takes Ranulf to London… to the king where they are soon caught up in dangerous intrigue and the king’s plans to bind Wales to him. Forced together, they discover how alike they are and how much they want each other. But even hard-won love cannot thrive when loyalties are divided.
A “hard to put down” story from the conflict between Wales and England. A very worthy romance!
Unexpectedly great book! Unconventional story and characters. Could not put it down. Loved it!
Am now reading book two – and paid a premium price to get it – but I expect book two will be well worth the price.
Historical novel of a period in Wales that I was not that familiar with. Made the story that much more interesting.
Great author I will look for again!
Well written, thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated historical context. Loved the characters and their complexities.
Gives a little insight into conflict between England and Wales. ….the romance is a tad predictable but I’ll give book Two a try for vacation reading.
There are books that you read, but might not remember many details. Maybe they were enjoyable enough, maybe not. Then there are books you read that you’ll remember exactly how you felt when you were in the midst of reading them until you turned the last page. Yet, most especially, you will remember specific scenes that you found pivotal to your reading experience. That was The King’s Man for me and I will remember much of this fantastic historical.
The writing itself is not to miss. It was daring, delicious, and delightful. Seriously, and I wasn’t even trying to alliterate. The book was full of everything I love in a well written story. It was wonderfully detailed with scenes that didn’t miss a moment in creating visuals for the reader. From the opening chapter to the very last paragraph, there was a meaningful purpose to every scene and/or dialogue. Not one wasted sentence. There were times when a reader could have easily dismissed these two characters as unlikable or not romance-worthy, but I hung onto every word as their characters evolved from antagonistic combatants to a respectful understanding of their place in each other’s lives. And it all culminates into one of the most sigh-worthy endings.
The heroine is so real in her struggles between who she is raised to be and what she ultimately finds she wants. This is a wonderful contrast to our hero who knows who he is and can’t change. Wonderful story and history.
Ranulf is a man tormented by his past, visited by ghosts and nightmares. In Wales, during the rein of Edward I, Ranulf is known as Edward’s henchman. He meets Gwenllian while suffering fever dreams After he’s injured in an attack by her men. Gwenllian sees herself as an uncomely woman but a fierce warrior, so she decides to take Ranulf to Edward. Before either Ranulf or Gwenllian know what is happening, they find themselves married at Edward’s command. The backdrop for the story is Edward’s attempts to subjugate the Welsh rebellion, and how Gwenllian is torn by loyalties to her husband and her family. This is a great book that is well paced and that contains a good balance of romance and conflict. Most enjoyable was the angst felt by both Ranulf and Gwenllian as they learn to know themselves.
If you’re really frustrated by Brienne’s ending in Game of Thrones, read this book for a happily ever after for a badass warrior woman.
A little to sexually graphic for me, but the writing is so exceptional and the story-telling so beautiful I have to give it 5
Shakespearean, in all the best ways. Broad in scope, rich with detail, and populated by deeply-motivated, complex characters. Also, I just love bad-ass women with swords.
I felt immersed in their world.
Great plots n subplots..terrific character building..easy to read, not easy to,put down..
The book was slow and I had a hard time staying interested in the book. I would find myself falling asleep so l would move several chapters forward and they were still talking about the same situation.
I am sorry to say this about a book as I read all the time, but I didn’t even fill like reading for a couple of nights. I obviously didn’t finish the book, retuned it, and will not be recommending this author in the future as this is the first book I have read from this author.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
A woman who was so good at sword play that she bested most men–a unique idea.
Loved the characters and how trying to be true to yourself is difficult. A nice romantic story with depth.
This is a terrific romance. The male protagonist is hotter than the surface of the sun. Highly readable and rereadable.
This book had a female heroine that was beautiful on the inside more than the outside. The male character was, what I believe to be, a warrior of the times. He was so strong but vulnerable. Their interaction kept you so involved with their complex relationship. I really loved reading this book.
I loved the female lead in this book. She isn’t typical, not beautiful, boyish, quiet… And I adored her struggles. All of them.