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.

The Laird’s Guardian Angel by Eliza Knight

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

The Laird's Guardian Angel (Highland Lairds Book 3)The Laird’s Guardian Angel by Eliza Knight

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Highland Lairds #3

Release Date: January 28, 2025

When Lady Calliope Ramsey was a little girl, her English mother left Scotland and took Calliope with her. Now fifteen years later, her mother has died under mysterious circumstances and the man Calliope believed to be her stepfather, is returning her to her father in Scotland. Her father, the Chieftain of the Ramsey clan is overjoyed at her return and welcomes her with open arms. But their reunion is cut short when English soldiers attack the castle and Calliope sees her father cut down. Terrified, she flees the castle and is found by Alistair Sinclair and his men. They take her to his castle and promises to help her retake her home. As much as Calliope admires Alistair, she still isn’t willing to standby while he retakes her castle, she defies his orders to join the battle and proves that she worthy to lead her clan. Once she has regained control of Castle Ramsey, she should be happy, but her feelings for Alistair complicate her plans to take her father’s place as Chieftain, will love find a way or are they doomed to be star-crossed lovers?

Alistair Sinclair is the only unmarried brother of the Sinclair triplets. He has devoted himself to protecting Scotland and is returning from a skirmish on the border when he finds Calliope. She tells him of the attack on the castle and demands that they return immediately to take the castle back. Alistair is enchanted by Calliope and wants to help her, but he needs time to regroup and plan, something she doesn’t agree with. She is unlike any woman he has ever known and the only woman who has made him think of marriage. But there are bigger things at play, and with Calliope determined to lead her clan, their feelings, though intense, cannot take precedence over the safety of Scotland.

This was a fast-paced, quick read with wonderful characters and lots of action. This book has something for everyone, action, adventure, great characters, family reunions, a bit of mystery, steamy love scenes, a heroine with the heart of a warrior, a hero who is pretty much perfect, wonderful secondary characters, surprises, and finally a hard-won HEA. Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and one that I am happy to recommend.

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

The Viking’s Princess Bride by Sarah Rodi

On By TracyIn Medieval - Early (410 - 1066), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Viking's Princess BrideThe Viking’s Princess Bride by Sarah Rodi

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: January 21, 2025

Driven by vengeance, Njal Salversson laid siege to Jorvik, the royal seat of the Saxon King Aelfweard, hoping that defeating the king who ordered the slaughter of his family would finally give him peace. He and his men have been fighting for the past two years and now that the king has been defeated, Njal wants to put the past behind him and find a way for the Danes and Saxon to live together in harmony. The first step to achieve that goal is to marry King Aelfweard’s widowed daughter, Princess Cwen. Marriage was not originally part of his plan, but when he met her on the battlefield, she captivated him like no woman ever had. But Njal has been burned before and trust is hard for him to give, especially when he is sure Cwen is hiding something, and his family loyalty is called into question. Can he find true love and peace with his enemy’s daughter or is he setting himself up for more heartache?

Princess Cwen is used to being a pawn for her father, so a second political marriage doesn’t come as s a surprise to her, but her reaction to Njal is unlike anything she as ever experienced. He makes her want things that are impossible. But lying to Njal doesn’t sit well with Cwen and when she finally lets herself admit what she is feeling is love, it makes lying even harder. But her secrets are not her own and could have ramifications that hurt the people she loves. Can she trust Njal with the truth and will he forgive her deception or will the betrayals in his past keep him from accepting her explanations?

This was a wonderful story set in the Early Medieval era of Anglo-Saxon England. I loved Cwen and Njal, they are both amazing characters, who are willing to forsake their own happiness for the sake of their loved ones. This story has a lot going on including love at first sight, enemies-to-lovers, longing, betrayal, secrets, a heaping dose of angst, family loyalty, heartache, lies, forgiveness, a bit of spice and finally a HEA that seemed almost impossible and even includes a very sweet epilogue. I do wish the story had moved a bit faster, but overall, it was a very good read and one I would happily recommend to fans of Medieval romance.

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