A fake marriage is the last thing he wants . . . and the one thing he needs.Guy Lavallais never expected to marry. But when a nun overhears him making treasonous overtures to a bishop, she makes a shocking ultimatum: marry her or she’ll tell all.And there is plenty to tell. Guy is a member of the Order of the Broken Blade, a brotherhood of knights seeking to tame King John—or if that fails, to … to tame King John—or if that fails, to overthrow him.
If the wrong person learns his secret, Guy will die a traitor’s death.
Of course, Lady Sabine isn’t a nun at all.
She was brought to the abbey against her will, and she’ll do anything to escape. Even bribe a wickedly handsome mercenary. She tells herself the marriage doesn’t matter—it’s a temporary measure to protect her from her guardian.
Once she and Guy part ways, she’ll be free to pursue her passion. And yet, the more time she spends with the mercenary, the more he awakens other passions.
Their pretend marriage begins to feel very real, but Guy’s mission for the order soon threatens both their arrangement and their very lives.
WARNING: Guy Lavallis is a true medieval bad boy. If you have a weakness for expert swordsmen who know how to wield their weapons, proceed with caution.
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A wonderfully told story that will remain with you!
Ms. Mecca always delivers a good story, while immersing you into the culture of the time. Loved this book! I received an ARC of this book.
Sir Guy Lavallais meets with a Bishop to persuade him to use his treasure to support a revolt against cruel King John. The Order of the Blade needs coin to buy off the French mercenary army the king has camped on English soil to threaten his own barons. Lady Sabine overhears the handsome knight and blackmails him to help her escape the abbey and marry her so that her deceased father’s overlord can not force her back into the abbey. Guy changes his plans and leaves with her, rides all night, arriving at another small convent in the morning where an elderly priest he knows marries them. This is another great romance by Mecca: Guy and Sabine are enigmas to each other, think they have life plans that will make short work of this marriage, but after lots of adventure each finds a true calling they never dreamed of in their life with one another! Good reading. I volunteered this review after reading an ARC
Sedition, intrigue and coercion lead to a convoluted path to happily ever after. The book is a vividly descriptive story pulled me in. Sabine and Guy are an incredible pairing, their journey filled with sparring antagonism giving way to a dramatic romance. I enjoyed every moment of this story.
Cecelia Mecca really rocked it with “The Mercenary”. She set the bar so high with “The Blacksmith”, the first book in the series that I couldn’t believe she could top that. She just gets better and better and this is an absolutely magnificent series. You do not have to read “The Blacksmith” first but I wholeheartedly recommend that you do. You just can’t go wrong with Cecelia. I am so excited about this series and can’t wait for the next book. She can’t write them fast enough to suit me… LOL. Her heroes are hot, noble and swoon worthy and her heroines are strong, feisty, and full of sass. The chemistry is off the charts and the romance is breathtaking. She has masterfully woven a story around historical detail, all the while transporting the raider to another time and place. I can’t say enough good things about this book or the author. Thank you so much Cecelia for such an exciting, well written story!
Another captivating read by Cecelia Mecca who once again delivers an intriguing, romantic and suspense filled story. It’s the second book in the Order of the Broken Blade series and once again shows the friendship,love and loyalty between the four men and their cause. It’s an amazing story that had me glued to the pages with the authors descriptive writing and vividly painted scenes.The characters are strong and well developed and the story flows fluidly. I loved the characters and reading their story and would highly recommend this book/series. Looking forward to the next book!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
Guy Lavallais never expected to marry. But when a nun overhears him making treasonous overtures to a bishop, she makes a shocking ultimatum: marry her or she’ll tell all. And there is plenty to tell. Guy is a member of the Order of the Broken Blade, a brotherhood of knights seeking to tame King John or if that fails, to overthrow him. Of course, Lady Sabine isn’t a nun at all. She was brought to the abbey against her will, and she’ll do anything to escape. Even bribe a wickedly handsome mercenary. She tells herself the marriage doesn’t matter it’s a temporary measure to protect her from her guardian. Once she and Guy part ways, she’ll be free to pursue her passion & become a girdler. Another engrossing, enthralling read that I read in two sittings. This is the second of this brilliant series, it could be read on its own but to fully appreciate it I recommending reading in order. Larger than life characters, a story that never lags, treasonous acts plus a lovely romance all make this a page turning, midnight oil burning read. I loved it & now eagerly awaiting the third book
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
I love this new series!!! In this story we follow Guy in this second book in the Order of the Broken Blade series. Guy may have finally met his match in Sabine, the nun. These two have great chemistry and while their story is hot, it is full of love too. These two are a perfect match. I can’t wait for the next book and am hoping that this series does not end with the four original members. It makes me sad to think this will end in only two more books! Mrs. Mecca does a fantastic job of creating these stories that can put you right there in that time and place. I highly recommend all of her books!
I love this series!
Sir Guy and Lady Sabine’s tale as told in this , the second book to The ORDER OF THE BROKEN BLADE, is just as compelling as the first book, THE BLACKSMITH.
If you have read any on Cecelia Mecca ‘s books ,this new series is sure to captivate you. And as you may have guessed , each book deals with a member of the ORDER and their connection to one another, the bonds forged, the friendships maintained and a loyalty the goes bone deep.
Now I await the next book THE SCOT and i just KNOW it’s going to be a success!
I was gifted with this ARC and this is my honest review freely given! Cecelia Mecca
This is another delicious book in the Order of the Broken Blade series!! I was in love with a blacksmith in the first book but now I’m in love with a mercenary:) My, oh my, can this author write stories, every time I think she can’t outdo herself, she does!
Guy Lavallais is a mercenary and he’s a member of the Order of the Broken Blade. He’s on a very dangerous mission and what he wasn’t expecting was to find himself married to an “almost” nun! Of course, he’s just trying to help Lady Sabine who does NOT want to become a nun and wants to get away from her evil guardian. As they spend time together, feelings get involved but Guy is determined to continue on his own. Sabine has other ideas but it’s an uphill battle!
Their adventure includes danger, intrigue, treason and passion….lots of passion:) I also enjoyed seeing some of the main characters from the first book as well as those who will have their story told in following books. I highly recommend this series!!
I was given an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Sir Guy Lavallais has always known marriage is not for him. Yet, when a nun overhears him quietly plotting treason with a bishop, she blackmails him into wedding her. As a member of the Order of the Broken Blade, a brotherhood devoted to curtailing King John’s broad abuse of power, Guy’s loyalty is to his mission and his brothers and he’ll let no one stand in his way, especially not his new, unwanted bride.
Lady Sabine de Stuteville is no nun, but was forced into the abbey against her will after her parents’ deaths. She’s desperate to escape. After several failed attempts to do just that, she’s desperate enough to maneuver a mercenary into marriage, one she assures him will be temporary, only until her guardian gives up pursuing her.
The more time Guy and Sabine spend together, the more real their marriage becomes, but with the danger inherent in their treasonous plans, their lives may be forfeit before they even acknowledge their growing desires for permanency.
I thought Cecelia knocked it out of the park with The Blacksmith, this book’s predecessor, but The Mercenary is stunning. There’s romance, not just steam, although there’s plenty of that too, but true, swoon-worthy romance that had me rereading passages just because the dialogue was so lovely. Beyond that, there’s also the ongoing intrigue and sense of danger that comes with treasonous plotting, although not so much peril that it took away from the development of the main characters’ relationship, if that makes sense. Guy was a fabulous mix of vulnerable and strong and has more layers than even he gave himself credit for. Sabine was a strong and independent woman without being at all shrewish or hateful; she acknowledged her own ability to fend for herself but also her new discovery of her preference for a life with Guy and she wasn’t afraid to voice her opinions and ask for what she wanted, even when Guy himself was. I always love it when the hero and heroine actively choose each other and that pushed this book up into my favorites for the year.
This book is exquisite. It was everything I enjoy in a romance and I can’t wait for the next one.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
High adventure, humour and romance are all encompassed in this well-written Medieval novel. Having read the first book in this series, I was excited about The Mercenary and was not disappointed. I found myself hitting Google to read up on the background to the plot and realised once again just how well researched this series is. The irrepressible Guy Lavallais fears nothing and no one, but when a nun at the abbey where he has a secret meeting overhears his conversation, Guy is appalled not only that she had eavesdropped, but also at her outrageous demands. Despite having determined never to marry, Guy discovers himself before a priest saying his vows, but when the drab little nun removes her habit he is completely taken aback by her vibrancy and beauty. What started as a marriage of convenience, becomes a partnership in more ways than one. Guy discovers that Sabine’s quest is much like his own and she has her own reasons for wanting to join his cause. The main characters in this book are immensely likable and I found myself wanting to be more like Sabine with her strong personality and ability to remain calm under pressure. Guy Lavallais is every woman’s dream hero, but I am not at all sure I would have been able to handle him, and especially not when I was in my twenties! Although part of a series, this book is a standalone, however the plot does leave a door open to future books. I received a copy of this excellent book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
This is the 2nd of 5 book series. It built on the prior book / characters and was was an excellent read.
The Mercenary: A Forbidden Love Medieval Romance (Order of The Broken Blade Book 2) by Cecelia Mecca.
Exciting historical plot that makes your bottom pucker hoping Guy isn’t betrayed and loose his head!
Guy is a hardened Mercenary and is one of the four members of the Order of the Broken Blade. Bound by oath to end King John of England’s tyranny he imposes over his own people.
Guy rides to an Abby to meet with a powerful priest to garner his support when a nun approaches him and tells him she heard their secret conversation so, if he doesn’t want his treason exposed he will take her with him when he leaves. Oh and Guy will have to protect her from her enemies and marrying her in truth, then after she helps his order by joining the fight against the King, then they can part ways! Wow! This is a deliciously delightful story with sexy warriors and a sassy Lady who is a force in her own right with this battle hardened Mercenary. The storyline is action packed with witty characters, adventure, and a comical slow burn romance that ignites the pages. I recommend this book and series to everyone who loves a great, well written story that warms the heart and the sheets.
Happy Reading
Best Work of Cecilia Mecca ‘s writing I have read yet! The order of the broken blade is my first introduction into Cecilia Mecca ‘s histroms. I am reading her Bloodwite series and enjoying them. However, I noticed that the writing style while good is rather stagnant from book to book. It’s an interesting series, but there isn’t any improvement s that reflects back on the advancement of the story. I’m not sure if what I just said made sense. The Mercenary on the other hand displays a wider range of style that complimented the plot of the story. Sabine and Guy’s banter was really engaging. How their circumstances allowed them to come together as a real couple was really well written. Really looking forward to The Scot.
The second book in this series did not disappoint. I’m a sucker for hunky, medieval heroes. Guy Lavallais was an interesting character who met his match in the bold and lovely Sabine. This was a fast-paced story and steamy romance with plenty of drama and intrigue that kept me turning pages. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series!
The Broken Blade saga continues and Cecelia has done it again. Guy over the time of the book becomes the man he was meant to be with the love of a strong woman in Sabine. She is a woman that knows what she is worth and willing to walk away if he can’t see it. I highly recommend this book and reading The Blacksmith first. Can’t wait for The Scot the next in the series. I received an advanced reader copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
This series is wonderful. This book was awesome. Sabine taking a chance with Guy to escape. The characters are well-developed and believable. Their attraction is undeniable. The buildup in this series is incredible. I am so looking forward to the next book.
You definitely want to read the series but you could read this book as a standalone.
I really enjoyed it. Guy and Sabine both have their missions and they collide in an unexpected and delightful way. She wants her freedom and he is the ticket out. He has a commitment he will not give up but love has a way of changing plans. They have great chemistry from the start.
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy I received.
“A handsome knight. Friend to the bishop.” She had an idea. Lady Sabine only wanted to escape the abbey, she was not meant to be a nun.
Guy was on a mission to speak with the Bishop on behalf of he and his fellow warriors, the Order of the Broken Blade. They were trying to amass support to pressure King John to adjust his policies on high taxes and his other unfair practices. He was able to talk to the man and gain his favor to support them and his coin to finance their efforts
But coming out of the secret meeting, who might he see? Sabine, who had been easedropping and was prepared to blackmail him into marrying her!
What a twist and oh my gosh, I don’t blame her! Of course it was not for romantic reasons, just to get her away and from the abbey and her guardian who had basically sold her to them for coin. Well she could certainly start out thinking that way, but as he agreed under pressure to marry her or expose him as a traitor, he finally said “Guy Lavallais of Cradney Wrens.” When she blinked he said, “You should know the name of your husband.”
Then the journey began as Guy spirited her away from the abbey. A hasty marriage and then off on a to meet with the a group of mercenaires who were guarding King John and convince them with enough funds to go back to France and leave John exposed.
Guy was so multifaceted. A mercenary, a knight, feared by many, a good heart deep down that he tried to cover by seeming carefree and arrogant. Sabine was intent on unraveling the true person.
Cecelia Mecca has created two characters that kept me engaged to the point I could not wait to see what would happen next.
Two people, meeting by fate that really had the same mission, some of the same losses and an attraction that could not be denied!! Loved, Loved, Loved this story!!!