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.

Blog Tour of “Secrets of Her Forbidden Knight” by Ella Matthews

On By TracyIn Blog Tour, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Part of a Series, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Secrets of Her Forbidden Knight

She’s rescued a knight

Now she needs the favour returned…

When widowed Lady Johanne happens upon an injured knight, she sees an opportunity to form an alliance and protect her home, Castle Brae, from her enemies. The betrothal she proposes might be merely for appearances, but the very real attraction between her and Sir Alewyn thrills and disturbs her. For it’s clear he’s hiding something… Can she trust him, with so much at stake?

Purchase Links:

UK – US

Author Bio:

Ella Matthews lives and works in beautiful South Wales. She writes medieval romances for Mills & Boon. When not thinking about handsome heroes she can be found walking along the coast with her husband and their two children (probably still thinking about heroes but at least pretending to be interested in everyone else).

Social Media Links:

Website ~ Twitter ~ Instagram

Tracy’s Review:

Secrets of Her Forbidden KnightSecrets of Her Forbidden Knight by Ella Matthews

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The King’s Knights, #3

Release Date: August 23, 2022

When Johanna, the widowed Baroness of Brae, came upon a massive man lying unconscious on the road, she can’t just leave him to die, despite being warned to do so by her steward, who noticed a trap on the road, which most likely caused the man’s current predicament. But Johanna points out that he likely saved them from the same fate and insists on taking him back to Brae Castle to tend him. And hopefully, with any luck, she will convince him to stay on and help protect the castle.

Sir Alewyn “Al” Monceaux wakes and doesn’t know where he is or how he got there. He remembers leaving Windsor Castle on a mission for the King’s Knights, but has no recollection of the accident and is missing his horse and all his belongings, including his sword. But as luck would have it, he has ended up exactly where he was meant to be, Brae Castle where he was to investigate reports that Lady Johanna is aiding the French against the king and to arrest her for treason if he finds proof of these claims.

He wonders how he will convince Johanna to let him stay, but that problem is solved when a neighboring baron arrives unannounced and Johanna says Al is her betrothed. He plays along with the ruse, because it will give him time to investigate, but as he gets to know Johanna, he can’t believe that she is a traitor to England. He is even more sure that she is innocent when he meets another of her neighboring barons. But can he trust her with the truth of his mission? And the even bigger question is, will he be able to leave her once the traitor is caught?

I loved this story, it is definitely my favorite of the series (so far) and a book that I am thrilled to recommend. Johanna and Alewyn are remarkable characters who both battle with insecurity and strive to prove their worth to others. I adored how they worked together and supported and encouraged each other. I was hoping for a bit more steam in this book, but in the end, I didn’t miss it and when their story ended, I had no doubts about their mutual desire and love for each other. This is the third book in the series, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone title with no problems.

*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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Enchantment of a Highlander by Madeline Martin

On By TracyIn Book Publicity, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Part of a Series, Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Enchantment of a HighlanderEnchantment of a Highlander by Madeline Martin

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Heart of the Highlands, #3

Release Date: 1/19/2016 – Re-Released: 2022

Another great book by Ms. Martin! This book is about Alec and Celia. Alec is the final member of the trio we met in the first book. I hesitate to call this a series because the three books are in no way connected to each other – save the fact the three heroes know each other and were all introduced to us in the first book. Each story so far has centered solely on the current hero of the book. Other than a passing mention of the other heroes – the books have no connection at all.

Alec meets Celia when he is injured defending a young woman on the road from outlaws. He was returning home to claim his inheritance now that his father is dead. Alec left ten years ago and hasn’t been home since. Celia is a healer with a dark and troubled past. As much as she is attracted to the new Laird, she knows that she must not become involved. She tends his wounds and sends him on his way.

Alec is besotted with Celia and fully intends to have her as his mistress – but first, he has to set his castle to rights, regain the trust of his people and rid his lands of the outlaws that are raiding and terrorizing the castle and village. Thanks to his father’s actions over the past ten years, he has no allies, a ruined castle, and no warriors to help him. So as much as he wants Celia, he doesn’t have the time to pursue her – yet.

Celia is haunted by the past – she was orphaned and taken in by a loving woman who was later accused of witchcraft and who sacrificed herself to save Celia. Celia believes that she can’t let anyone love her because she will only bring them pain and heartache. She keeps to herself and avoids getting too attached to anyone. She has never even been tempted by a man – until she meets Alec.

Alec and Celia meet again two weeks later and Celia gives in to the temptation of Alec and seduces him. Frighten by the emotions their encounter generated in her, she runs away. Alec looks for her, but cannot leave his people unprotected for days to search for her. His lands are still overrun with outlaws and he doesn’t have the manpower to drive them off.

Celia has been gone for three months and Alec is getting desperate. He finally asks his neighboring laird – Laird MacDougall for help. MacDougall will help – for a price – he wants Alec to wed his daughter Saraid. Alec is not happy about this but tells the laird that he will consider it.

Cold and almost starving, Celia finally returns home – she was not able to support herself away from Alec’s lands because people feared she was a witch. Alec sees her in the village and follows her. She firmly rebuffs his advances and tells him to stay away from her. He reluctantly agrees to leave her alone but begs her to come and tend Duncan – his ward, who is deathly ill. She tends Duncan – but is determined not to become attached to anyone.

One day while returning to her cottage she is chased by a witch hunter – she is terrified and turns to Alec. She won’t tell him what happened – but agrees to stay in the castle for her own protection. Once she is living in the castle, she and Alec become lovers, he asks her to marry him, and she bolts. Upon returning to her cottage, she finds it ransacked and all her belongings destroyed. She doesn’t know what she will do to survive and then Duncan shows up and tells her that the MacDougall is hunting her and that she is not safe at the cottage – but he knows a place for her to hide.

Alec is fighting his own demons – he fears he is like his father and believes that the darkness inside him is the reason Celia has left him. He tries to respect her wishes and leaves her alone. When the attacks on his lands escalate – he again turns to the MacDougall for help and finds out that MacDougall is looking for Celia – who he believes is a witch. Alec agrees to help him find Celia and marry Saraid. He has no intention whatsoever of turning Celia over to him but plays along with him.

Celia remains hidden for about a week, but a desperate situation draws her out and she is confronted by Saraid. She is able to escape and makes it back to her hiding place. When Saraid’s father finds out that his “witch” has finally been caught – he orders Alec to arrest her. Alec knows where she is hiding -but knows if he goes to her, she will be caught. Duncan not realizing that it was a trap, runs to her hiding place to warn her. They are both caught and Alec has to pretend he is betraying her to save them.

To find out what happens, you are going to have to read the book – the ending of this book was a nail-biting (if I did that sort of thing – which I don’t), page-turning, edge of your seat, OMG, OMG, OMG read!

Seriously – this book is not to be missed! The writing is fabulous, the love scenes are hot, the villains are certifiable and warped, the plot is complex but easy to follow and the epilogue is adorable.

*I received an eARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*