Category: Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454)

In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or Medieval Period lasted from the 5th to the 15th century. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and merged into the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery. The Middle Ages is the middle period of the three traditional divisions of Western history: classical antiquity, the medieval period, and the modern period. The medieval period is itself subdivided into the Early, High, and Late Middle Ages.

An Alliance with His Enemy Princess by Lissa Morgan

On By TracyIn Book Publicity, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

An Alliance with His Enemy PrincessAn Alliance with His Enemy Princess by Lissa Morgan

Tracy’s rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: N/A

Release Date: December 27, 2022

It has been a year since the tragic events at the hands of the Norman Earl, Robert of Rhuddlan, stole everything from her, Princess Gwennan ferch Cynddylan Fawr refused to surrender. She put away her kirtles and embroidery and picked up her dead husband’s sword and along with the few men left on her father’s lands and fought against the Normans invading Wales. A personal war that has been going mostly in her favor until tonight when her small band of men were ambushed, she called the retreat but was struck down herself and taken captive.

Even though she is dressed as a man, Sir Rolant Guyarde knows that the fallen soldier is a woman and protects her identity from his men by taking her prisoner and claiming her as his new page. Gwennan regains consciousness and learns the troop is on their way to her home – Carn Egryn – and bides her time. Soon enough, her men attack and she escapes – but has to leave her sword and horse behind, for now. Later she turns the tables on Rolant and not only retakes her castle but takes him hostage. She makes her demands to Earl Robert, her parents in exchange for Rolant. But Rolant has a better idea, he suggests she petition the King – but the price the King demands may be more than either of them wants to pay!

I thought this was a well-written, interesting read, and though it used the common enemies-to-lovers trope, it still managed to feel fresh and original. I really loved Rolant and I felt his pain keenly, he harbored so much guilt and wanted love so badly, that I wished I could comfort him – I certainly would have been nicer than Gwennan. She too harbored a lot of pain, but unlike Rolant, I couldn’t sympathize with her – she was hard for me to like, and she spewed a lot of venom at Rolant – many times unjustly and was so wishy-washy regarding her feelings. I understand that she loved her husband, but this went beyond that – one minute she is thinking she loves Rolant and the next she is verbally flaying him – I felt confused and annoyed. I could tell you why he loved her – but I still don’t have the foggiest as to why she loves him or when she fell in love. This book has fighting, lies, secrets, loss, heartache, surprises, wonderful secondary characters, heart-retching confessions, more than one romance, very mild love scenes, a sweet declaration scene, and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. I did enjoy this book, but I don’t think I would read it again, as the romance just moved too slowly for my taste. I did however love the setting in Wales and adored Rolant – he makes the book worth recommending!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

Blog Tour – A Stolen Knight’s Kiss by Melissa Oliver

On By TracyIn Blog Tour, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Part of a Series, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, Tudor Era (1485-1603)Leave a comment

A Stolen Knights Kiss

A Stolen Knight's Kiss Harlequin

A Stolen Knight’s Kiss

Captured by a knight…
Rescued by his kiss!
When orphan Eva loses the father-figure who’d protected her on the streets of London, she suspects the Knights of Fortitude. But when she steals information from them, she’s caught by brooding knight Nicholas. Learning he might not be the villain after all, she puts her distrust aside to work with him, yet Eva must stay focussed – and not get distracted when they share a stolen kiss!

Purchase Links:

Books2Read ~ Harper Collins ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK

Author Bio :

A Stolen - Melissa Oliver pic

Melissa Oliver is from south-west London where she writes sweeping historical romance and is the winner of The Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Joan Hessayon Award for new writers 2020 for her debut, The Rebel Heiress and the Knight.

Contact & Social Media Links:

Website ~ Instagram ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Tracy’s Review:

A Stolen Knight's Kiss (Protectors of the Crown, #2)A Stolen Knight’s Kiss by Melissa Oliver

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Protectors of the Crown, #2

Release Date: October 25, 2022

In this installment of the Protectors of the Crown, Sir Nicholas d’Amberly along with the other members of the Knights Fortitude of the Order of the Sword are hot on the trail of the Duo Dracones, a group of traitors bent on bringing down the king. Tonight Nicholas is waiting in a tavern for his informant to deliver a missive to him outlining the Duo Dracones’ next move. They complete their business quickly and within seconds, Nicholas notices a lovely young woman working her way to him, but when she is detained by a drunken patron, Nicholas is honor bound to help her. But as soon as he helps her, she turns to leave and he realizes that the missive he just received is gone and his mother’s ring along with it!. He gives chase and sees that the maiden has a partner – a young boy. He catches up to them, just as the girl is going over a wall, he thinks he will catch the boy, but after exchanging a few words, the boy too gets away.

Eva Siward was not born to the streets, but after the death of her family at the age of 12, she was sent to live with her aunt and uncle, but soon it becomes clear that Eva cannot stay and she runs away. She is rescued by a master thief named Simon the Rook, who took her under his wing and kept her safe by making everyone believe she was a boy. Simon was recently killed by a Crown Knight, so when she is offered a job to steal from one, she jumps at the chance, especially since the fee from this job will enable her to leave London and start a new life with her friend Marguerite, another girl who ran away from a bad situation. But she underestimates Sir Nicholas and finds the tables turned, as he has taken Marguerite hostage until Eva returns Nicholas’ property. An exchange is set up and Eva knows she has no choice but to comply, but she will do it on her terms!

This book was a well-written, non-stop adventure from the very first page. I loved Nicholas and Eva together, they have such chemistry and are so supportive of each other, not to mention, their passion for each other certainly heated up the pages! This book has action, betrayals, revelations, near-death moments, loss, surprises, steamyish love scenes, cameos from the other knights and their wives, some twists and turns, and finally a HEA with a glimpse of what can be expected in the next book. This is the second book in the series and can be read as a standalone title, but I really would recommend reading the books in order for the best reader experience.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

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