Medieval.

Reviewed by Josanna Thompson (Guest Reviewer and Author)

Once upon a time there was a boy named Nathanial who beholden himself to a little girl, named Madeline. They adored each other and were inseparable during their childhood. Then they grew up. Nathanial became a knight; Madeline a noble lady. Bound by duty, they were forced apart, and yet their devotion to each other never waned.

This is a wonderful story about friendship, honor, and duty. I liked Nathanial’s and Madeline’s characters. I was pleasantly surprised that Madeline’s husband was a nice man who cherished his wife. I was also pleasantly surprised that the author made Madeline do her duty, in every sense of the word, even when it broke her heart to do so. In spite of all that happens during the story, it ends in the most satisfying way.

Amazon US  Amazon UK

Thank you Josanna, for taking time out to write a review in support of another author. It's really appreciated all round. 

Under The Approaching Dark by Anna Belfrage - further medieval mayhem

Reviewed by M. J. Logue

Under The Approaching Dark - The King's Greatest Enemy #3

The third book in a series I have come to love as much as the author's other series.... 

It is still a wonder and a joy to me how the author has managed to create two totally different and totally plausible worlds. I know it's not the done thing to compare two different series-es, but it's so easy for a writer to simply transplant a set of successful characters into another period, appropriately renamed. And Ms Belfrage doesn't - Adam and Kit are fully-rounded (and in Kit's case, almost perpetually fully rounded: might I suggest that Adam ties a knot in it, for the next instalment?) carefully-crafted creatures of the medieval period. 

Yes, there is action and intrigue a-plenty, and adventure to stir the blood. But although they're well done and deftly handled, my favourite parts of this novel are the little domestic touches where the author's research makes for an intimate, tender portrayal of medieval family life. The omniscient Mabel, for instance, I love. (I am also intrigued by Adam's brother William, who may be a man of the cloth but who, I think, has something of a most un-canonical tenderness for Kit. I wonder what will come of it...because I am pretty sure Adam won't like it if he finds out. And I cannot help but wonder if William is quite what he seems to be, or whether a very de Guirande ambition is hidden behind that virtuous exterior...) 

Without giving too much away, I am DELIGHTED to see that my doubts regarding Tom in the first book, were shared by Kit in this one. And that William's handling of that situation is what makes me wonder if he's all he seems to be. 

I love the way themes are developing in this series: the themes of family ties, dysfunctional and otherwise: of deceptions both kindly and unkindly meant; of the contrast between theI "right" and the "wrong" love. Ms Belfrage creates a wonderfully shaded world in which the right choices are not always the defensible choices. There are times when I don't like Adam very much: he doesn't always put his family first, although he always puts his family's future first. (As I said. A very de Guirande ambition.) He can be arrogant, quick-tempered, high-handed. He's also an entirely typical medieval male, and much though I might want him to put Kit's needs to the fore at times, it would be anachronistic for him to do so. 


So book four soon, please - I'm watching that William.... 

A Review by Diana (RT Annie)

A Medieval Romance Review by Diana

This is a definite four star read for me.  I loved the story line and the characters are likeable and easy to identify with.  I’m not all that familiar with the historical accuracy of the medieval time period so I have to always rely on the author’s knowledge and how he/she relays the historical facts.  But it seemed like this author has done her homework and research.

Martine of Rouen the heroine of the story, an illegitimate child of a Baron and her mother after cast aside from her lover commits suicide.  Martine as a very young girl finds her mother floating in a lake and thus brings on a continuous nightly nightmare that follows her throughout the years.  Her half-brother Father Rainulf finds her and assumes responsibility for her giving her good descent upbringing and education somewhat befitting a Nobleman’s child.  She is so beholden to her brother she would do anything to repay his kindness even to the point of marrying a man she has never laid eyes upon.  After all women in those days did not have much of a say as to whom they were betrothed too and most times were married off as convenience in lieu of property and or social status with the realm.

Sir Thorne Falconer a landless knight and a good friend of Rainulf arranges a marriage for Martine to a second son of a wealthy landowner.  But when Thorne lays eyes upon the fair Martine he is instantly drawn to her as she is to him.  They both try desperately to fight this attraction but as we all know fate always plays a big part of our lives.  In recompense for this arranged marriage Sir Thorne is promised his own land, something that he has never had but always strived for and the most important thing in his life.  He doesn’t believe in love and even though he’s no stranger to women he never let himself take that fall.