Author: Sian Ann Bessey
Genres: Historical Romance
Format: Audio, eBook, Print
Pages: 248
Date: November 1, 2016
Publisher: Covenant
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 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 and Sir Lukas’s feelings for each other grow, the stakes soar, and only Sir Lukas’s skill with a longbow can save them.
[bctt tweet=”Sir Lukas’s skill with a longbow can save Lady Joanna? TO WIN A LADY’S HEART #medieval #cleanromance Sian Ann Bessey”]
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A wonderful cast of characters give heart to this medieval tale of loyalty and betrayal. I loved Lady Joanna’s compassion for the peasants in her father’s land, and her determination to champion their cause since they couldn’t for themselves. Her secret relationship with Agnes and the two young men Agnes cares for proves to be beneficial when they come to her aid as the kingdom seems to be falling apart. The arrival of Lukas was timely as he helps solve the mystery of the stolen wool and reveal the culprits who are behind the plot to rob Joanna’s father of everything. His goodness shines through in his kindness and devotion to Joanna, and I was rooting for him to win the tournament and her heart. Lord Gilbert’s loyal knight Sir Edwyn was a steadying influence in Joanna’s life as a father figure and his connection to Lukas brought the story full circle. This is a book that will be enjoyed by fans of Melanie Dickerson and I highly recommend it for both young adults and adults.
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.