A Sword for His Lady (Courtly Love #1) by Mary Wine

Blurb...

He'd defend her keep...

After proving himself on the field of battle, Ramon de Segrave is appointed to the Council of Barons by Richard the Lionheart. But instead of taking his most formidable warrior on his latest Crusade, the king assigns Ramon an even more dangerous task—woo and win the Lady of Thistle Keep.

If only she'd yield her heart...

Isabel of Camoys is a capable widow with no intention of surrendering her valuable estate. She's fought long and hard for her independence, and if the price is loneliness, then so be it. She will not yield... even if she does find the powerful knight's heated embrace impossible to ignore.

But when her land is threatened, Isabel reluctantly agrees to allow Ramon and his army to defend the keep—knowing that the price may very well be her heart.

Mary Wine has long been one of my favorite historical romance authors. It's hard to put into words why that is, other than to say she just brings a little something extra to her stories. More detail, but not so much that it's boring. The characters feel right, like they truly do belong in the time she's placed them. These are the things that make her standout as one of the best in the genre, and why I always look forward to her books.

Even though this story isn't completely unique, Ms. Wine created characters who more than make up for it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the strong, feisty, determined Isabel! She's been widowed long enough to know she doesn't need a husband to make sure the people and the lands are prosperous. But when King Richard heads off to the Crusades again and tasks his Baron, Ramon de Segrave with marrying Isabel so that her lands will be protected, she finds herself torn between what her mind tells her she needs, and what her body won't be denied.

Ramon is stubborn, arrogant, and determined to marry Isabel, as his King demands. But before long he finds himself in a battle of wits and wills with one of the most formidable opponents he's ever faced! And it's a woman!

This really is an entertaining story. There's humor, intrigue, danger...and plenty of passion. I'm excited to read more in the Courtly Love series, especially Ambrose's story. I'm looking forward to Ramon giving him a taste of his own taunting when he meets the woman who will be his match!

Click here to purchase A Sword for His Lady from Amazon

Breton Wolfe (World of DeWolfe Pack) by Victoria Vane

I'm thrilled that Victoria Vane has returned to historical romance, and even more excited that she's taken on the medieval world - a world I love reading about.

Blurb...

She swore to defy him to her dying breath... But passion blurs the line between love and hate...

The bluest blood and the hardest heart... at least when it comes to marriage... The daughter of a duke and granddaughter of a king, Adele of Vannes was bartered at birth in a marriage treaty for the sole purpose of producing a royal heir. When her philandering husband is slain by Norse marauders, she is coerced to wed again in order to protect her home and her people. Adele knows that her beloved Brittany needs a strong hand to survive, but how can she ever reconcile her bitterness and hatred with the desire she feels for her mortal enemy?

She’s the jewel he seeks for his Breton crown...A Barbarian bent on building a dynasty, Valdrik Vargr, ‘the Norse Wolf,’ is renowned for both his bravery in battle and shrewdness in statecraft. Setting his sights on claiming the kingdom of Brittany, he knows that siring sons from royal blood would solidify his hold, but the woman he would claim as his queen refuses to have him. Will he fuel her hatred by taking her to his bed, or will the man who strikes terror in the hearts of men be reduced to wooing his bride?

*****

Breton Wolfe is the first in Ms. Vane's new series. It's what you would expect in medieval romance, but written with her flair for words and ability to bring the past to life to make you feel like you're there, living the story rather than just reading it.

One of my favorite things about this time period is how caveman-esque the men are - and watching as these strong, clever women tame them. I'm looking forward to visiting more of this exciting world in Ivar's and Bjorn's stories!

An ARC was provided by the author for review.

In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks, Narrated by Kirsten Potter

A Fun, Romantic, Sexy Tale!

In Bed with a Highlander is the first book in the McCabe Trilogy, a sexy, romantic, fun historical romance written by the very talented Maya Banks. I thoroughly enjoyed this story with its twists and turns, wonderful characters, sweet romance and the steamy sex that Ms. Banks writes so well.

The Story

The story opens with Mairin Stewart being kidnapped from the nunnery she’d spent most of her life hiding away in. The illegitimate daughter of the king, Mairin is heiress to strategic, prized land, and the man who marries her will make his Clan a force to be reckoned with, a power unlike any other. Duncan Cameron is determined to be that man.

Laird Ewan McCabe, a widower, has spent years rebuilding his Clan after an attack that almost wiped them out. He wants nothing more than blood revenge against Duncan, the bastard who killed his father along with most of his Clan. When Ewan’s young son, Crispen, goes missing, he sends out his brothers and his warriors to find him. What they find, however, is Crispen in the care of a bruised and bloodied but feisty, strong willed woman, a woman who might just be the salvation of the Clan, and the answer to all of Ewan’s problems - if he can just open his heart and let her in.

The Audio

The narrator for this book, Kirsten Potter, has a lovely, rich, clear voice. I enjoyed her Scottish accent and the emotion and humor she gives to the characters and brings to the story. Her flow and pacing is well done and I’m very impressed with how wonderfully she gives men, women, and children, unique and distinctive voices!

The Bottom Line

While I wish there had been more Scottish brogue and period dialog used in the story, I truly enjoyed In Bed with a Highlander. Whether you read the book or listen to it, it’s fast paced, witty, sensual and poignant, and with Ms. Potter’s narration, an absolutely engaging, entertaining read! I’m looking forward to returning Highlands to spend time with those amazing McCabes!