A great Medieval epic and a love story for the ages.1270 A.D. – An epic story of loss, love and redemption. On the Seventh Crusade, Sir Alec Summerlin makes a horrible mistake that costs him everything. Once the greatest swordsman in the realm, he lays his weapon down and refuses to ever wield a broadsword again. Surrendering his spurs, he retires to his father’s castle in self-imposed exile. His … self-imposed exile. His father, however, has other ideas for his greatest son and betroths him to a local ale heiress.
The Lady Peyton de Fluornoy is as resistant to marriage as Alec is, but she gradually begins to warm to the man who has given up on life. Alec comes to know a lady of spirit, beauty and intelligence. Before their marriage can happen, however, Alec’s father is blackmailed by a neighbor who wants Peyton for his own son. Now deeply in love, Alec elopes with Peyton and an entirely new world of danger and passion opens up for them both.
As the conflict with the neighbor heats up, deep and horrific secrets are revealed, and Peyton ends up in grave danger. Alec must recant his vow and draw his sword again to save the woman that he loves as The Legend is once again reborn.
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I loved this book
Overly melodramatic. Cartoonish characters.
This book hit all the right spots. I laughed, I cried, I could hardly put it down. It had plenty of romance and sex but also familial ties, famliy feuds, true friendship, loyalty, dishonesty, suspense, betrayal, and wonderful characters. Best book I’ve read in a while. I think I’d like to be Aunt Jubil in another life.
I enjoyed this book immensely. Two warring families joined through a forced marriage. The h suffered a horrible accident that left her deaf. Trying desperately to avoid marriage to an insufferable enemy, she pretends to be “off” letting her family believe that she is “daft”. However she has learned to read lips. Forced by the king to marry her family’s sworn enemy. The development of the romance between the main characters is interesting and (not sweet but real). I enjoyed the interactions between the main characters and the secondary ones.
I had one problem and really irritated me and pulled me away from the main plot. Ali, who is falling in love with the h’s sister, touches her the first time wearing his gauntlets. In a moment of tenderness upon meeting his bride to be, he touches her face wearing those metal gloves. This is at a party, meeting Ivy for the first time. To touch her with a hand covered with cold metal just disappointed me. It’s a party, he’s a knight, he knows she has been chosen as his bride. And he’s wearing gauntlets. And he touches her face with tenderness (?). I cannot fathom cold metal being romantic, gentle, or welcomed by a woman who is terrified.
Other than that I found to story delightful with a strong h and a protective H even though he has been forced into marriage by his king. Yes, I recommend this story. It is the first time I have read a story with a primary character who is black. The words used about him by others is disgusting. Ivy however sees beyond the color of her intended’s skin.
Typical LeVeque. Good sex, good fighting, handsome hero but no surprises.
Plot drags with too much repetition of “we like”, “we don’t” in the first third. Not enough nuance.
Easy one evening enjoyable read
A good book.It had plot twists and great characters development. Not just a simple love story. But plots twist which may the story good.
For a historical romance, there wasn’t much of either. It moved along just fine, but a little disappointing in overall presentation. Was entertaining.
It was a good read.
Made me have a mental picture for almost every page. A good page turner.