For eighteen years, Lord Gilbert has been tortured over a grievous lapse in judgment. Bitterness has tainted his interactions with the people of Moreland and his relationship with his only daughter, Lady Joanna. With a wolfhound guarding her around the clock and no freedom to leave the castle grounds unattended, the only time Lady Joanna can be alone is when she sneaks out through an old castle … castle tunnel to visit the healer Agnes in her cottage by the sea. One morning as Lady Joanna approaches the cliffs, she discovers an injured man. She immediately goes to Agnes for help. The wounded stranger is Sir Lukas, and while he recovers, he makes plans to identify his attackers and their motive. Upon learning that Moreland’s wool has been stolen, Sir Lukas comes to believe that the crimes are related and point to a much more sinister plot. When Lord Gilbert announces an archery tournament, the prize being Lady Joanna’s hand in marriage, it attracts noblemen from across the land, and suddenly Sir Lukas’s pursuit of the villains takes a different turn. As Lady Joanna’s and Sir Lukas’s feelings for each other grow, the stakes soar, and only Sir Lukas’s skill with a longbow can save them.
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I’m generally a regency era reader but when the author is Ms. Bessey I’m happy to read medieval instead.
This is a quick-reading clean romance/adventure story where the main characters learn just how much strength they have within. I liked both of them and their straight forward determination to do what is right and good. The coldness of Joanna’s father toward her and everyone is unfortunate. And that she is so sheltered. At first it seemed like she didn’t have much self determination to break out from the sheltered life she had but looking closer, she did it all the time by sneaking out of the castle to see her friends. I don’t think her desire to do so was to be rebellious though. She just wanted to be where she felt some kind of love. But leaving the castle by disguise was what strengthened her to be able to forge ahead when it was most important.
Sir Lukas was a brave knight and I liked that he was both kind and bold. Sometimes I wanted to thump him on the head for getting into trouble by not thinking quickly but he was determined to do what needed to be done even in his own physical pain. And there seemed to be a lot.
The story moves quickly and a lot happens in a short period of time. While the ending is predictable and it isn’t so hard to figure out who the bad guy is, it is an enjoyable ride to get to the happily ever after.
And the cover is beautiful.
Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: yes
* I won this book in a giveaway and voluntarily chose to review it.
I have long been a fan of historical fiction and have read a fair amount of regency romance. This, however, was my first medieval romance and I must say I am a fan. It was also my first Bessey read and I liked it.
I am unfamiliar enough with the medieval time period that this book was a delightful foray into all the unknowns and felt a little like diving into an entirely new world. Knights. Castles. Peasants and nobility. Wolfhounds, swords, longbows. Mystery, adventure, intrigue, deceit. Romance. This book has it all and works.
The story of Lady Joanna and Sir Lukas is very intriguing and well done. The love story was very well done. Despite the romance blossoming over the course of mere days (and if you know me, you know this is a pet peeve of mine), it was developed quite well. Watching the respect grow between Joanna and Lukas, while their regard, and then love, grew as well, was perfect. It made them seem more like a realistic couple.
As always, I love a strong female protagonist, especially in the face of society or family who expect different behavior. I felt that Joanna was a good mix between being ladylike and independent and stubborn. I liked her a lot.
Sir Lukas is likable right away, but you also can’t help but feel sorry for him in the way he is introduced. He is a good example of what we typically think a knight should be: brave, honest, loyal, and good.
The supporting characters are all fantastic and round out the story so well. Agnus, Slip, Garrett, Eva, and Sir Edwin are perfect. Even Lord Gilbert, Joanna’s father, as cold as he is, provides the essential contrast to Joanna’s goodness that the book needs. And makes the ending all the more sweet.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more Sian Bessey books in the future.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Read by: Nancy Peterson. The reading is very well done. The accents are all perfect, from the peasants to the nobility, even down to the Frenchmen. The male voices are not weird and they are different, so for the most part, I could tell who was speaking just by virtue of the tone she used. I was impressed.
I loved this book. It touched my heart and made me so happy. I will definitely keep this one on my shelves.