Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Best Medieval Romances!


Who among us ladies hasn’t dreamed of a knight in shinning armour? Or, of living in a time when valor prevailed and honorable men did great deeds and women of character loved them? (I did say we were dreaming, right?) Well, these historical romances will take you back to those medieval times.

Since the medieval period in European history spanned the 5th century to the 15th century, all the stories on my list take place during that period; however, some Scottish/Highlander, Irish, Viking and Pirate/Privateer historicals from that time period not listed here can be found on those specific “Best Lists” (found on the right side of my blog).

All of these listed below have garnered 4, 4 and ½ or 5 stars from me and many have been reviewed on my blog:

A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught
Betrothal by Jenna Jaxon (just the first part of a 3-part story)
Blackheart by Tamara Leigh
Blue Heaven, Black Night by Shannon Drake (aka Heather Graham)
Bond of Blood by Roberta Gellis
Bride of the Lion by Elizabeth Stuart
By His Majesty’s Grace, By Grace Possessed and Seduced by Grace by Jennifer Blake
By Possession, By Design, Stealing Heaven, By Arrangement, The Protector and Lord of a Thousand Nights, 14th century London series by Madeline Hunter
Candle in the Window by Christina Dodd
Come the Morning, Conquer the Night, Seize the Dawn, Knight Triumphant, The Lion in Glory, and When We Touch from the Graham series by Shannon Drake
Damsel in Distress by Shannon Drake (aka Heather Graham)
Desire of the Heart by Katherine Vickery (aka Kathryn Kramer)
Enchantress, Kiss of the Moon and Outlaw, Welsh trilogy by Lisa Jackson
Everlasting by Kathleen Woodiwiss
Impostress, Temptress and Sorceress, Welsh trilogy with fantasy elements by Lisa Jackson
Keeper of the Dream by Penelope Williamson
Lady of Fire and Fire and Steel, from the Fire Series by Anita Mills
Lady of Valor, White Lion’s Lady, and Black Lion’s Bride, Warrior trilogy by Tina St. John
Laird of the Wind by Susan King
Lespada by Kathryn Le Veque
Lie Down in Roses by Shannon Drake (aka Heather Graham)
Lord of Desire, Lord of Temptation and Lord of Seduction, Risande Family trilogy by Paula Quinn
Lord of Vengeance by Tina St. John
On a Highland Shore and Rivals for the Crown by Kathleen Givens
Princess of Fire and the sequel Knight of Fire by Shannon Drake (aka Heather Graham)
Prisoner of My Desire by Johanna Lindsey
Rose of Rapture by Rebecca Brandewyne
Shadowheart by Laura Kinsale
Silk and Steel and the sequel Desire and Deceive by Cordia Byers
Sword of the Heart by Maureen Kurr
The Angel Knight by Susan King
The Bedeviled Heart by Carmen Caine
The Black Lyon by Jude Deveraux
The Christmas Knight by Michele Sinclair
The Conqueror, Promise of the Rose and The Prize, trilogy by Brenda Joyce
The Dragon Tree by Marsha Canham
The Falcon and the Flower, The Dragon and the Jewel and The Marriage Prize, the Plantagenet trilogy by Virginia Henley
The Game by Brenda Joyce
The King’s Pleasure by Shannon Drake (aka Heather Graham)
The King’s Rebel by Michelle Morrison
The Last Knight by Candice Proctor
The Lily and the Falcon by Jannine Corti-Petska
The Lion’s Bride by Connie Mason
The Raven and the Rose by Virginia Henley
The Rose of York: Love and War, The Crown of Destiny and Fall From Grace, trilogy by Sandra Worth
The Swan Maiden and The Stone Maiden from the Maiden trilogy by Susan King
The Warrior’s Game by Denise Domning
The Wild Hunt by Elizabeth Chadwick
The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen Woodiwiss
Through a Dark Mist, In the Shadow of Midnight and The Last Arrow, Robin Hood trilogy by Marsha Canham
Untamed, Forbidden and Enchanted, trilogy by Elizabeth Lowell
Warrior’s Song, Fire Song, Earth Song and Secret Song, medieval series by Catherine Coulter
Where Love Dwells by Elizabeth Stuart
Winter’s Heat, Summer’s Storm, Spring’s Fury, Autumn’s Flame and A Love for All Seasons by Denise Domning
Wonderful, Wild and Wicked, trilogy by Jill Barnett

Monday, October 28, 2013

New Review: Kathryn Le Veque’s LESPADA – Engaging Tale of an Arrogant Knight Set in 13th Century England

This was my first by Le Veque. It’s a medieval romance set in England beginning in 1264 and tells the story of Sir Davyss de Winter, a knight of King Henry and nephew of the Earl of Surrey, and Lady Devereux Allington, daughter of a neighboring landowner.

When his mother, a strong matriarch, arranges a marriage for Davyss to Devereus, he reluctantly agrees only because his powerful mother insists. He’d prefer to remain unwed. Likewise, Devereux has no desire to marry the powerful knight because he is arrogant, selfish and his ways violent and she is against violence. Devereux spends her time helping the poor and the victims of violence.

Instead of attending his own wedding, Davyss sends his sword, “Lespada.” When he does show up (after the de Winter knights physically subdue Devereux and the wedding takes place), Davyss locks his bride away in his castle without food or water. Then, in a moment of lust, he rapes her (up against a wall no less—and a very well-written scene it was, too). Devereux’s reaction to this is a bit surprising (she “mostly enjoyed” it), yet she does find the will to leave. When his mother comes to call on her new daughter in law shortly after, and learns what has happened, she agrees to Devereux’s request to go home to her father and her charity work. Understandably, the girl wants nothing to do with the de Winter clan. Several weeks later, Davyss can’t get his new wife out of his mind and decides to pay her a call.

This is a saga covering many years as Simon de Montfort battles King Henry for the throne and Davyss and Devereux fall in love and each changes for the other. To my way of thinking Davyss’ change came on a bit suddenly (together with his lust for his wife), but I enjoyed the play in their relationship. Le Veque has done her research of the background history of the time and the battles that determined the throne of England. The story is richer for it. The tale held my interest, and I would read more by this author. There is a bit of “head hopping” (quick changes in point of view), which left me dizzy at times, and some form of address issues (once she is married she is no longer Lady Devereux but Lady de Winter and his mother would not be “Lady Katherine,” but Katherine, Lady de Winter). And I did think it unusual a baron’s daughter would have given herself to a man and birthed bastard twins, all while seemingly being unaffected. Still, I can recommend it as an engaging tale.

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Winner, winner!


The winner of Denise Domning's Warrior Series boxed set is Barbara Butler McCoy--Congratulations, Barbara!

And thanks to all those who commented on Denise's wonderful post of the sounds of the medieval world!

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Favorite Author and Guest Today, Denise Domning, Author of Wonderful Medieval Romances!

Welcome to my blog, Denise Domning, award-winning, best-selling author of eleven historical novels and the co-author with Monica Sarli of one gritty, hard-bitten memoir of addiction and recovery.

Of the two genres, Denise says she frankly prefers the rats, grime and fleas of the twelfth century over the ghettos and drug use of modern Kansas City. For Denise, writing means using words as her time machine and painting an accurate portrait of a past.

You can see my review of her novel THE WARRIOR'S GAME just below this post. And, you can stay in touch with Denise via her website, www.denisedomning.com

Today she is sharing with us the sounds of the medieval time period in which her Warrior Series is set. And, Denise has graciously agreed to give her boxed set to one lucky commenter!










Zounds! The Sounds!

It wasn’t until the fateful and awful events of 9/11 that I truly understood how much sound frames our experience of life. For three days after that day, our world fell into an awesome quiet. For most of us it was the first time we had heard nothing in the skies above us except birds. Until then, I hadn’t realized how pervasive the steady thrum of jet engines is in my life, or how completely unaware I was of that sound. It was a pivotal moment in my understanding of how differently we “Moderns” experience the world from those folks living in the late twelfth century.

It was also a potent reminder of how powerful the sense of hearing is when an author wants to evoke a bygone era. Why? Because what cluttered the ears of past generations is vastly different from the roar of cars, rattle of kitchen appliances and gentle whirr of our computer fans that clutters our ears these days.

So what were the folks back in the Middle Ages completely unaware that they were listening to? Let’s start in the countryside, and in the Twelfth Century that means most of the population. During this period London was England’s biggest city, with a little over 30,000 people in residence. By the Fifteenth Century, the second largest city in England was Norwich, weighing in at around 6000 people.
Just like country folk today, the sounds of animals and nature dominates the existence of these small, self-sufficient farming communities. Their days begin with the crowing of someone’s rooster. But along with that comes the honk of domesticated geese, the quack of ducks, the cooing of doves from their dove cote. A truly riotous avian chorus erupts from every tree, thicket and bush. There’s the complex song of a lark, the shrill military chatter of a kingfisher from the stream bank and the mundane twitter of the swallows nesting under the eaves of barns and sheds. In the spring and fall, the skies fill with vast flocks of migrating wild ducks, geese and swans, so many that the almost non-stop honking must have seemed deafening.

Of course, birds aren’t the only animals making noise with the dawn. Sheep and goats bleat, cows low (or moo, depending on which word you like better), all wanting their masters’ attention. In the distance the local water source, be that brook, stream or river, tumbles and dances in the newborn light. Leaves rustle and toss with the breeze. Inside the cottage, the ceramic lid that protects the hot ashes clatters as it’s taken off the fire. Bellows gust as the hot coals are encouraged back into crackling flame. Everyone coughs, because even though the smoke is supposed to wind its way out of the hole in the roof, the smoke is everywhere. And everything–absolutely everything–in the cottage smells like smoke.

After they break their fast (as in breakfast), the day’s chores begin. The ring of blacksmith’s hammer is rhythmic and even as he brings it down again and again on the thick piece of metal he’s turning into a tool. The bellows that keep his fire hot enough to soften iron gust and whoosh. At the mill, the miller snaps the goad over the back of his ox and the big creature begins to walk his endless circle. As he moves, the grinding stone rumbles, turning steadily to grind wheat or rye or oats into flour. The sound is loud enough that the miller has to raise his voice to speak to customers. The knife sharpener’s wheel rumbles as turns, the knives he sharpens ringing and sending off sparks as he hones the blades; the potter’s wheel rumbles as he shapes clay into new pots. The carpenter’s saws rasp with a whee-haw as they’re pulled through lengths of wood. The wheelwright and cooper hammers thud dully as they work narrow strips of metal onto their wheels and barrels.

Meanwhile, everyone sings. At the fuller’s cottage newly woven cloth is being fulled or waulked–the process of felting or tightening the weave so the fabric won’t unravel–to the cadence of a specific set of songs, each set providing the right rhythm to a different part of the fulling process. (You can hear this song HERE.) Yet more songs rings out from the fields where the men swing their scythes. This keeps their movements in sync and prevents accidental injury. And down at the stream, the women sing as they rub their clothing clean while their youngest children chatter and play.

At day’s end, the fire cover clatters back into place on the hot ashes and everyone makes their crunchy way onto their straw-filled mattresses. Outside, owls hoot and shriek, and the robin sings if there’s even the least little light to keep him awake. In the barn, and most often in the house as well, rats and mice skitter and rustle. So does the occasional hedgehog, come in to enjoy the relative warmth of a cottage. In those areas kept wild for the pleasure of noblemen, stags trumpet to attract mates, the rare wolf howls and boar offer up blood-curdling grunts.

It isn’t as pleasant for those who live in the burgeoning towns of this era. Here, the rooster still wakes the household, since just about everyone who can afford to keeps their own chickens. There might also be the grunt of a sow and the squeal of her piglets from the shed outside the back of the house.

Householders might also be able to hear the tumble of water, because every town and city has a reliable water source. But chances are that in the city the water is foul with human and animal wastes, as well as polluted by industrial wastes. And you thought it was just our era that was polluted? Nope, humans were hard at destroying their environment, even a thousand years ago. But that’s another article.


Here in the medieval city, folk tell time by the bell. Trade means money and money means charitable donations to your parish church, and that means a church bell. The size of a bell determines its voice, the bigger the bell the deeper the tone, and, of course, the more expensive the bell. Since all churches are Roman Catholic in Europe at this time, the bells all ring out about fifteen minutes before each of the day’s services. In London at this time there are thirteen monastic houses as well as one hundred parish churches. Imagine the cacophony, all the bells ringing every three hours during the day, and of course for every funeral or event that might need to be announced to the public.

Add to that the same noises described for country life, but multiply it by a deafening factor. In the “shambles,’ another name for where the butchers ply their trade, animals bleat and bellow their last as they’re slaughtered for meat (and let’s not even talk about the stink). In towns, the need for smiths, whether ironmongers or those who work more precious metals, is much greater than in the country but here new technology is changing the way this work is done. Water power is being used to full cloth, temper metal as well as grind flour. The water turns the wheel that turns the gears that drops hammers on the metal or cloth. The never-ending thumping and clanging is so overwhelming that town councils are passing new ordinances limiting when these mills can run.


Where there are merchants, there must be customers. Very few homes in the towns and cities are simply a place to live. Instead, most of these houses are also the homeowner’s business establishment, with his shop located on the ground floor. Every day, our merchant throws open the shutters of his shop and is off and running, or rather shouting as he pitches his goods to all passersby. The shouting isn’t limited to just storefronts. Regraters, think of them as the mobile food trucks of today, walked the streets. With their handcarts or wheelbarrows filled with something to sell, be that old clothing or fresh fruit or cheese, they shouted for folk to come buy their excellent wares.

Where there’s trade, there’s wagon traffic to move goods from one place to another. Bellowing oxen, their owners shouting and snapping goads at them, drag wagons along mucky lanes. Mounted merchants lead long trains of pack animals through the city. Priests and monks ride past stuck carts on braying donkeys. Cats yowl, dogs bark, pigs grunt, chickens squawk and sweetly cooing doves rain you-know-what down from above.

Like today, day laborers stand on corners and call out in the hopes of being hired. At night, they’ll be replaced by the women who sell themselves to earn their daily bread. And then there are the ale houses. These are the pubs of their day. Every alewife has her own recipe and serves food as well as her drink. The folk who frequent her establishment are generally travelers or people without the ability to cook their own meals, people sleeping in corners of sheds or in warehouses. Often the alehouse is their only chance to enjoy the warmth of a fire and of community, so the singing commences, twining with the other noises of the night.

Walled cities mean limited space for houses, so dwellings are crammed helter-skelter, taking advantage of every free space. With neighbors so close, there’s no privacy. Every marital spat, every man practicing his sackbut, every family celebrating some milestone can be overheard, whether by folks on the streets or the family next door. If things get a little rowdy, the watch will be called and the offenders asked to hold it down. And so they would until the first bell of the morning stirred the roosters to start crowing at dawn the next day.

I suppose like those people who live in New York City today, the denizens of London in the Twelfth Century took the noise in stride, the same way I heard but no longer listened to the sound of jet engines in the sky above. But one thing’s for certain. Ancient Londoners looked down their noses at the rubes from the countryside who found the bustle and bellow of their beloved city than they could take.

What surprises you most about the sounds of medieval life?

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

New Review: Denise Domning’s THE WARRIOR’S GAME – Authentic Medieval with a Great Alpha Male Hero in the time of King John

This is the third in the Warrior Series (it follows THE WARRIOR’S WIFE and THE WARRIOR’S MAIDEN) but it can be read alone. All three are set in the time of King John and the Magna Carta, a foundational document adopted at the urging of rebellious barons in the 13th century limiting the powers of the king.

THE WARRIOR’S GAME is the story of Lady Amica del la Beres (“Ami”), the widow of a knight and the ward of King John. Unbeknownst to Ami, the king has promised her to one of his favored knights, Sir Michel de Martigny, a commoner son of a merchant who distinguished himself at the siege of Nantes. No match for a king’s ward in Ami’s mind. Michel wants lands and heirs and is hoping the king will keep his promise and give him Ami. With that apparently in mind, the king has made Michel administrator of Ami’s manors, much to Ami’s chagrin.

Ami is a woman who is strong in all things except when it comes to Sir Michel. Whenever he touches her, she melts in his arms and turns into a tart. Being well aware of that, and a man who has made his way in the world through his ruthless intelligence and courage, Michel uses it to his advantage, embarrassing her for her disdain of his commoner origins. But then Ami plays into his hand several times.

Domning’s story reflects much research into the 13th century life at court and these historic details add richness and authenticity to the tale. Not just the historical setting, but the historic sounds and smells. You feel like you are there with Ami, struggling to gain a toehold on the future when she is merely a woman who, at the king’s whim, could be given to some unacceptable man, like Sir Michel, for example. No matter the knight is handsome and sexy and his kisses render her a mushball. The king would play his game and she is but a pawn.

If you like a real historic feel in your historical romance and you like the medieval period, this is the romance for you. It’s well written and kept me turning pages. I recommend it.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

New Review: Shannon Drake’s DAMSEL IN DISTRESS - Robin Hood, Knights Templar and Romance, Oh My!

Set in 12th century England (mostly, though there are scenes in the Holy Land), in the reign of King Richard the Lion Heart and his brother, Prince John, this is a romance that will win your heart.

Lord Damien Montjoy, one of Richard's faithful knights who would help the king retake Jerusalem, and one day return to England to be lord of his own castle, is rewarded by Richard for his valor with the adjoining lands of Lady Katherine ("Kat") de Montrain--and with the hand of the lady herself. Richard also wants Montjoy to secure the north of England from the wiles of his brother John. Ah, but there are legends about the forests there...Robin Hood, Little John, Friar Tuck, Lady Greensleeves and the Silver Sword!

Prince John would give Kat's hand to the evil de la Ville who will pay him richly as John is ever in need of funds. The Silver Sword, a man who once saved her father's life, arrives to save Kat from de la Ville and deliver her to Montjoy, but then the Sword takes her innocence (the way I read it, it's a forced seduction). Kat is a strong and beautiful young woman...in fact, the Lady Greensleeves herself! While she weds Montjoy, she is not happy about it as he is a nemesis from her youth. Kat hates all the men in her life: the King, Montjoy and the Silver Sword. Could she ever love such a man? ("Never!") Does she love the Silver Sword after their night of intimacy? ("No!")

But all will come right and the legends will have their day. This is really a dreamy romance with rich characters and great action. Shannon Drake (aka Heather Graham) always delivers a romance you can't put down. I only wish she had written this one as a part of a series as I did not want it to end. I recommend it.

Friday, October 18, 2013

New Review: Cordia Byers’ DESIRE AND DECIEVE – Worthy Medieval Sequel

This is the sequel to SILK AND STEEL. Set in England four years later, in 1337, it is the story of Justin St. Claire's brother, Richard--aka Royce the reaver--and Megan O'Roarke, sister of a cruel and derelict knight who died in a joust.

When Richard learns King Edward commands he take the O'Roarke's sister to wife, he wants nothing to do with her. At the urging of his brother, Richard agrees to at least meet the girl, so he travels to Dragon's Lair keep. Megan has no interest in marrying either, even though she must steal to keep her people alive. So when Richard comes calling, she disguises herself as a hag and Richard flees.

But they are to meet again, this time as she is caught robbing an English lord. About to hang, Richard in disguise as Royce, saves the young beauty hoping she is connected to the thieves who are robbing the wool route of the king. Instead, he falls in love with her and she with him, each unaware of their true identity.

While I liked SILK AND STEEL better, this sequel, published some four years later, is still an exciting venture into the medieval world and includes enough history to keep me happy as King Edward has many issues with his need to raise funds to support claim on Normandy, and the wool route that keeps the cash flowing. There were a few times when Megan's actions had me rolling my eyes, but I still kept turning pages.

Cordia Byers does not disappoint and this is a good follow-up to book 1. Justin and his Scots wife, Jamelyn, from book 1 are both secondary characters in this book. I recommend it.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

New Review: Shannon Drake’s KNIGHT TRIUMPHANT – Great Medieval in a Wonderful Series by Heather Graham

This is the 4th in the Graham clan saga set in Scotland (see list below). This one takes place in the early 14th century, and tells the continuing story of Eric Graham who we met in SEIZE THE DAWN when he was by the side of Brendan Graham.

Eric is now an outlaw, a follower of Robert Bruce who has been named King of Scotland, but who still battles Edward, King of England, for the right to rule. While he is recruiting more men to follow the Bruce, Eric takes aboard his ship an injured man who has the plague and has unknowingly brought death to Eric’s people, including his young daughter and beloved wife, Margot, who die along with other Scots while prisoners at Langley, the estate in the Scottish borderlands ruled by English lord Afton.

Afton, a good man, has also succumbed to the plague brought to him with the Scottish prisoners. His widow, the beautiful Lady Igrainia has used her healing powers to help those who can recover, both Scottish and English prisoners. When Eric comes to Langley for his wife and daughter and those of his men among the prisoners, Eric seizes the castle but then falls prey to the disease and Igrainia nurses him to health. He intends to allow Robert Bruce to use Igrainia as a bargaining chip to free Bruce's women held by king Edward, since she is the daughter and sister of an earl. But Edward will not bargain and so Robert the Bruce tells Eric to wed Igrainia to irritate Edward and claim her lands.

Eric forces Igrainia to wed him. Then, following another order of the Bruce, he gets her with child to validate the marriage--all for the glory of Scotland. Despite Eric’s mourning for Margot and his daughter, he finds himself attracted to Igrainia and she with him.

Igrainia is a strong-willed, creative and courageous woman who loved her husband, a kind gentle lord, a man of books and letters, but she can see that Eric has an honorable nature in contrast to the English leaders who would use her. Eric is a man whose soul has been deeply wounded and whether he can care for another woman is the big question.

Graham does an excellent job of bringing out the emotions surrounding all this. I liked this book in the series very much. It was more complex and the history was woven in very well. Her character development is excellent and the love scenes are "real."

A well-told tale by Graham in this Scottish historical romance series, and I recommend it!

The Graham Saga:

COME THE MORNING
CONQUER THE NIGHT
SEIZE THE DAWN
KNIGHT TRIUMPHANT
THE LION IN GLORY
WHEN WE TOUCH
THE QUEEN'S LADY

Monday, October 14, 2013

New Review: Cordia Byers’ SILK AND STEEL – Absorbing Tale from 14th Century Scotland—a wonderful, courageous heroine!

I didn’t have to read very far into this story to know I had found a great romance. Set in the Borderlands of Scotland in 1333, it tells of a Scottish clan that is decimated by a battle with King Edward’s knights. Left in charge is the young 18-year-old heir who leads the clan in a last desperate attempt to retain control of their castle, Raven’s Keep. But they are unsuccessful; and though the young heir fights hard, Edward’s knight, Justin St. Claire, wins the day and claims the castle. It is only when he goes to have the young heir flogged that he realizes Lord Cregan’s heir is a woman.

Jamelyn (“Jami” to her men) is a courageous young woman who was raised as a son by her uncle, Lord Cregan. When King Edward, for his own purposes, commands Justin to wed the rebellious girl, who hates the English for what they have taken from her, the real battle begins. Jamelyn means to outwit the arrogant Englishman who is critical of her and her people.

From the very beginning, I loved this heroine and finding out what would happen to her had me turning pages way past my bedtime. However, I have to say it was a bit of “loved her, hated him.” Jamelyn was manipulated by every man she’d known, first her uncle, then Justin, then Anthony (Justin’s friend) and even King Edward. Justin acts the cur time and again, even flaunting his mistress in front of his wife. I was (at least at one point) tempted to feel sorry for his mistress because though she was a bitter, vengeful woman who would stop at nothing to have the man she wanted, she had loved Justin since she was 15.

It is an absorbing story that I was unwilling to put down. Byers brings many threads together at the end for a satisfying finish to a great story. I recommend it!

The sequel is Desire and Deceive.

Saturday, October 12, 2013

New Review: Jenna Jaxon’s BETROTHAL –Superb Glimpse of the Mating Habits in Edward III’s Court, But Way Too Short

I found it difficult to rate this book because while the writing is superb, the story ends abruptly, like the end of a chapter, not the end of a book. At 157 pages it seemed more like a novella, and the story only reached the midpoint when it was suddenly over.

Set in England in 1348, this tells of Lady Alyse de Courcy who has a crush on Thomas, Lord Braeton, a nobleman in King Edward III’s court, but she is shortly betrothed by the king to another suitor, Braeton’s friend, Sir Geoffrey Longford. Sir Geoffrey sees Alyse’s lands as a prize and is not displeased with the maid his father chose for him. Over the next few days he manages to become quite taken with her and quite jealous of all her other admirers.

This is a well-written story, and the banter is enjoyable even though there isn’t much history here. The book definitely has a medieval feel, which is good (and hard to achieve), but you have to know going it that it is mostly dialog related to social events at the court. While it was very good, the author left much to our imagination with descriptions.

King Edward is a secondary character, as is his daughter “Princess Joanna.” In history, Edward’s actual daughter Joan, who was betrothed to Pedro of Castile, died en route to Spain in 1348 of the Black Death (the plague), which she contracted in France, and which eventually killed a third of England. Now that would have been a great story to tell, particularly since our hero and heroine were to have accompanied the princess on that voyage.

I can recommend it, but just know that it’s a short novel and a brief glimpse of the mating culture around Edward III’s court.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

New Review: Anita Mills’ FIRE AND STEEL – Stirring Second in the Fire Series!

Set in 1106, 13 years after LADY OF FIRE, this is the story of Guy, Count of Rivaux and Catherine, Demoiselle of the Condes, daughter of Roger de Brione and Eleanor (from book 1).

The story begins as William the Conqueror’s surviving sons are at war. Henry is King of England and his older brother Robert Cuthose reigns in Normandy. Guy, Count of Rivaux has been sent to Condes to take Lady Catherine as hostage for Curthose to ensure her father’s neutrality. Catherine has been promised to Robert of Caen, King Henry’s favorite son but she’s not enthusiastic about him. She would have another of the king’s bastards, Brian FitzHenry. However, when Cuthose needs men and money, he bargains with Guy for men and money using Catherine’s hand as the incentive. Guy marries her but as she is only 13, he does not take her, wanting to allow her time to grow. And then comes the war…

Like LADY OF STEEL, this tale is rich in the history of the time as England and Normandy battle for control. Caught in the middle are Guy and Catherine and their tenuous emerging love. The villain from LADY OF FIRE, Robert, Count of Belesme, is back and just as compelling a figure as before. If you loved book 1, you must read this one for a dramatic finish.

It has great dialog and exciting twists and turns—a fast-moving story that will keep you turning pages. Another great medieval in the Fire series from Mills.


The Fire Series:

LADY OF FIRE
FIRE AND STEEL
HEARTS OF FIRE
THE FIRE AND THE FURY
WINTER ROSES

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

New Review: Anita Mills’ LADY OF FIRE – A Keeper of a Medieval Romance!

First published in 1987, this is book 1 in the Fire Series (see list below), it is now available for Kindle. This is one for the medieval romance keeper shelf. I loved it, and though it was my first by Mills, it will not be the last. (I'm reading the second in the series now...)

Set in 11th Century Normandy and England, this is the story of Eleanor of Nantes, daughter of a Norman count. She is young and innocent, but oh, so courageous and spirited. When King William first encounters her, she is defending her bastard half brother, Roger FitzGilbert, fighting off the bullies who are after him. The king is taken with the 12-year-old girl and would betroth her to his own son, Henry. But fate takes a harsh turn upon her mother’s death and Eleanor is sent to a convent. All the while, another man swears he will have her for his wife, the rich, powerful and cruel Robert of Belesme. However, Eleanor's heart belongs to Roger, who unknown to her, is not her brother at all which she discovers at 19 when she leaves the convent to be betrothed to Belesme.

Eleanor is a heroine to admire, consistent in her strength, intelligence and nobility of character. Roger is the kind of knight every woman longs for. He sees all Eleanor’s faults and loves her passionately and proudly, notwithstanding. Robert of Belesme, the villain who is obsessed with Eleanor, is terrible and cruel yet also strangely sympathetic (kudos to Mills to create such a complex character). The story is rich in historic details with an intricately woven plot, fast-moving dialog and suspenseful action.

It’s a page-turner and so well written. I recommend it!

The Fire Series:

LADY OF FIRE
FIRE AND STEEL
HEARTS OF FIRE
THE FIRE AND THE FURY
WINTER ROSES

Saturday, October 5, 2013

The Beautiful Art of Edmund Blair Leighton (1852-1922)


Since it’s Medieval Romance month on my blog, it seemed only fitting that I should tell you more about Edmund Blair Leighton, a gifted Victorian artist who gave us such beautiful renderings of medieval love to the world.

To this day, very little has been published about Blair Leighton. There are no modern monographs dedicated to his work, and he is seldom mentioned in books, which discuss Victorian art, and yet his paintings are among the most recognizable of Victorian art and have garnered large prices at auction. His works of Godspeed (1900) and The Accolade (1901)--pictured below--can be seen in almost every poster shop around the world and are used as the epitome of medieval iconography.

If one looks at the visual elements in Godspeed, for example, it is clear that that very few paintings so well capture the essence of this subgenre of historical romance.


The beautiful maiden on the steps of a stone castle, the knight in shining armor, the white steed, and the sense of immediate peril, which threatens the subjects’ contentment almost define our modern day conception of Medieval legend and romantic sentiment.




The Accolade derived its inspiration from a French work on chivalry, which mentioned that even ladies occasionally conferred the order of knighthood on worthy men.

You could say Leighton inherited his gift from his father, Charles Blair Leighton, who was a very talented artist, and exhibited several works during his short career (he died when he was only thirty-two years of age.)

Though Blair Leighton was forced by his family into a mercantile career, the artistic impulse in his heart refused to be denied. He spent all of his spare time in drawing, and made such progress that when he was seventeen he decided to devote his evenings after business hours to the study of art. When he turned twenty-one, he announced to his family that, cost what it might, he would be a painter. To that end he had been saving all he could out of his salary, and managed to put by enough to provide a good year’s start. He resolved first to get into the Royal Academy Schools. So, he went to the British Museum, did the necessary drawings as examples of his skill, and was soon admitted as a student.

To meet his expenses, he began to sell his illustrations, which drew comparatively high prices. The reason for his rapid success was perhaps to be found in the fact that he treated each drawing as if it were a picture, not only paying models to sit for him, but even going to the expense of hiring the right costumes. About eighteen months after he had entered the Royal Academy Schools, he sent his first picture to the Royal Academy Exhibition. The critic of the Standard at that time (1877) expressed the hope that the artist would not be demoralized by being elected a Member of the Academy too soon, but would be kept waiting for a time till he had done some more good work.

In 1885, he married Katherine Nash, with whom he had two children, Eric James Blair Leighton, who also attended the Royal Academy School of Art, and Sophie Blair Leighton, who married the famous British civil engineer Sir Harold John Boyer Harding.

Although Blair Leighton was elected to the Royal Institute of Oil Painters in 1887, he was never voted in as an associate of the Royal Academy. His career hit its peak in and around 1900 with his most famous works of Godspeed being in 1900, The Accolade, 1901, The End of the Song (pictured on left), 1902, Alian Chartier, 1903, and Vox Populi, 1904. He continued to paint other great masterpieces for many years, with less and less large-scale works as he neared the end of his life.

He died on September 1st 1922, but we can still enjoy his legacy of beautiful, romantic paintings.


Sources:

The Art of Mr. E. Blair Leighton by Rudolph De Cordova
E. Blair Leighton: The Prominent Outsider by Kara Ross
Edmund Blair Leighton, English Pre-Raphaelite (2nd Wave) Painter


Thursday, October 3, 2013

New Review: Katherine Vickery’s Desire of the Heart – A Worthy Tale of Love in the Time of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury

Originally published in 1990 and now available in eBook, it is set in London and Canterbury, England in 1162-64 (Epilogue 1170), and tells the story of Kendra, a peasant whose sister died while giving birth to the child of their brutal overlord’s rape. When Kendra plunges a knife in the overlord, she is saved from death by his brother, Geoffrey de Bron, who pleads for her life. King Henry II, who has promised Geoffrey a boon, gives her to Geoffrey.

There’s a worthy Author’s note at the beginning that sets the stage for the conflict between King Henry and Thomas Becket, selected by the king to be Archbishop of Canterbury. One is the head of the government; the other the head of the church—destined to clash. I value that the author did the research to include meaningful history, though there were places where it a bit thick even for me. The hero is a cleric who works for Becket so we get to see the history develop through his eyes.

I liked the way the attraction between Geoffrey and Kendra slowly builds. Geoffrey wants Kendra but cannot marry her—not because she is Saxon, but because she is lowborn Saxon, a peasant. Not surprisingly, they come together anyway. But Becket is not happy to learn of it and tells Geoffrey he must lose the girl. Kendra, hearing this, steals away in the night.

It’s a well-told tale from an interesting period in England’s history with insights into the lives of real historic personages. Saxon Christmas traditions are included, as well. If you like real history in your romance and want a good long read (407 pages), you’ll enjoy this one. The author puts you in the period and helps you understand what life was like for the lower classes in the 12th century and also the machinations of the church and royalty at the time.

Book 2 in the de Bron saga is ARROW TO THE HEART, a Robin Hood tale.

The author has several pen names, among them Kathryn Kramer (UNDER GYPSY SKIES) and Kathryn Hockett (THE LEGEND’S LADY) should you want to look for more of hers.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

New Review: Georgette Heyer’s THE CONQUEROR: A Novel Of William the Conqueror, the Bastard Son Who Overpowered a Kingdom and The Woman Who Melted His Heart

Despite it's subtitle ("A Novel of William the Conqueror The Bastard Son Who Overpowered a Kingdom and the Woman who Melted His Heart"), sadly for us romance lovers, there is very little in this novel that relates to the relationship between William and his wife Matilda. Though there is a chapter devoted to his determined "conquering" of her (including his beating of her when at first she refused to marry him), it's not a love story nor a romance. The story begins in 1028 with William's birth and continues to his coronation Christmas Day 1066, though most of the book is taken up with the battles for and around Normandy.

William is portrayed as a hard man molded by his dubious beginnings, his relentless determination to have his will carried out and his ambition for the crown of England (ostensibly to secure Normandy's future). He was a brilliant strategist in war, which he was about most of his days, and he could be exceedingly cruel when it served his purposes. He valued courage and loyalty. In this story he says that Harold Godwinson is the only man he (William) respects. But that didn't stop William from using Harold, forcing him to give an oath of fealty (or face a gilded imprisonment in Normandy), the breaking of which he used against Harold to secure the Pope's backing for the planned invasion of England. The author does a good job of showing how William always served his own needs and any good he did for others was motivated by what it could gain him. Perhaps that is what it took to gain a country like England but the author suggests there was something lost in the man for the effort as echoed in the reservations uttered by the men who served him. For that, Heyer deserves full marks at bringing the real man to life.

The history presented here is interesting and entertaining, though I felt like I needed a dictionary, a map of France in the 1050s and 60s and a notepad for all the names and places thrown at me, particularly when so many men around William had the same first name. Such things also slowed down the reading of the tale in places and made it difficult at times to understand just what was going on or who the men were behind all those names.

In large part (perhaps the best part), this is the story of a friendship between one of William's closest knights, Raoul de Harcourt, a Saxon, and Edgar, who held lands under Harold Godwinson and who was the hostage of the Duke of Normandy. And, if there is a romance here, it's the love story between Raoul and Edgar's sister, Elfrida. Still, it's a worthy piece of historical fiction.