Series: Courtly Love #1
Published by Inc. on July 7th 2015
Genres: Medieval, Historical, Romance
Pages: 348
Format: eARC
ISBN: 1492602477
ASIN: B00TFZ0BYQ
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A Publishers Weekly Top 10 Pick for Spring 2015
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.
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~Karen’s Two Cents~
Mary Wine wrote a devilishly delicious historical romance in A Sword for His Lady (Courtly Love). Its setting is Richard the Lionheart’s medieval England. Richard and his Knights are back from crusading long enough to pillage England of its coin and resources, leaving it bankrupt and its people starving. The King’s taxes are mostly paid for on the backs of woman and children, a few old men, and the infirm who are left in England during this time period. All of Richard’s countrymen from the age of 12 and up have been pressed into God’s service to fight in the Holy Lands. God save us from high and mighty Kings who claim to be doing God’s bidding! All is not well in England; the Welsh are pressing its borders so Richard enlists his most valued Knight whom he has elevated to Baron, to keep the Welsh and his brother John in line. Poor John always gets a bad rep in movies and literature, while Richard is cast as a hero; in reality Richard couldn’t have cared less for England and her people. The set up of this book is pretty historically accurate. Please never read a romance novel as historical fact, although this one does a very good job in its portrayal of an English keep, of medieval life, of the sexual mores and politics of the time period. This is not a regency romance so don’t be shocked that the guesting customs are a little more provocative. It wasn’t until later that the English people got so stuffy about nudity and sex.
I think this book is going to be one of the best books of the summer reading season of 2015. We have a heroine that has built a life for herself and her people. Medieval life was about survival and Isabel of Camoys’ life is all about helping her people to survive and even to prosper. At the start of the book, Richard appoints Ramon de Segrave as a new Baron, charging him to keep the border safe and to wed the reluctant heiress. Different customs for inheritance existed at that time; women actually lost ground as time wore on, as in Medieval England the wife could inherit titled lands. To stir the pot, West adds a dastardly power hungry baron into the mix The results of her stew is a lovely romance between two people, neither of whom want or are looking for trust or love, but they are transformed by both.
This is a definite buy the book at full price read. You won’t be sorry that you did!
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