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 Knight’s Bride Prize by Ella Matthews

On By TracyIn Medieval (1066-1540), Medieval - Early (410 - 1066), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Part of a Series, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Knight's Bride Prize (The Knights' Missions Book 2)The Knight’s Bride Prize by Ella Matthews

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Knights’ Missions, #2

Release Date: November 26, 2024

After an incident at the castle of his mentor, Lord Ormond, Sir Hugh de Veilleux and his two brother Knights Leo and Tristian are tasked with proving their loyalty to his liege lord by each performing a mission. Hugh’s assignment is to infiltrate Ceinwen Castle, the Welsh holding of Lord Geraint and investigate suspected treason. He will infiltrate the castle under the guise of taking part in the tournament that Lord Geraint is holding to find a husband for his only daughter, Lady Bronwen. Hugh is not happy about the deceit, but he will do anything to clear his and his friends’ names, so they can pursue their dream of joining Sir Benedictus’s King’s Knights. Hugh believes this will be a simple mission, but that was before he met Lady Bronwen and found himself doing the one thing, he swore he would never do by falling in love with her.

Lady Bronwen was impressed by Sir Hugh from the moment she laid eyes on him, but once she learned that he was the third son of his family and had no hope of inheriting, she had to set her mind against him as a potential spouse. Not because she was mercenary, but because Hugh has no home of his own to take her to and she desperately wants to leave her father’s house. Her father was once a kind and benevolent lord, but in recent years he has become a drunk, more interested in drinking and feasting than his wife or daughter. But as much as she tries to ignore Hugh, it proves to be impossible. Will they give into the attraction simmering between them or will Hugh’s secrets and lies destroy any chance of a HEA?

This was a well-written, nicely paced story with very likable characters who both fight the call of their hearts. This book has intrigue, secrets, more than one villain, treason, lies, steamyish loves scenes, a bit of angst, a little heartache and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. My only qualm with the story is how the traitor was handled, but aside from that, it was a great read with a really, wonderful ending, that I am happy to recommend. This is the second book in the series, but could easily be read as a standalone title, although, after reading this book, I purchased the first book because I just have to know what happened with Leo!

*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 Highlander’s Return by Lynsay Sands

On By TracyIn Historical Rom-Com, Medieval (1066-1540), Medieval - Early (410 - 1066), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Part of a Series, Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Highlander's Return (Highland Brides, #12)The Highlander’s Return by Lynsay Sands

Tracy’s Rating: 4/4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Highland Brides #12

Release: September 24, 2024

Since being abandoned by her husband of less than a day, Annella Gunn nee MacKay, has been acting as both Lady and Laird of the castle with no help from her husband’s family, especially his vile mother. Yet despite that, she has been very successful and won the respect of the clan. Now six years later, her husband has been found dead and his bones returned to Scotland. No longer needed to stay with the Gunns she is eager to return home. Hoping her father (Ross MacKay) will find her another husband, hopefully one who will love her and give her children. But she will need the permission of the new Laird, her husband’s younger brother – Graeme Gunn. She is sure he will agree, but her brother convinces her to stay a little while to help Graeme in his new position, after all the man has not been home in years and never thought he would be Laird. She reluctantly agrees and starts to spend time with Graeme, and has to admit to herself that she is attracted to him, more than any man she has ever known. When things get heated between them, Graeme insists on marriage, and she resists, until circumstances force her hand. Can she find the love she has always wanted or is she doomed to living unhappily ever after?

From the moment he returned home and saw Annella tending a clan member, Graeme Gunn knew she was the woman for him. But convincing her was a lot harder than he anticipated. He will need the help of her brother Payton and his fellow mercenaries, Symon and Teague to win her hand. But no sooner than he does, it becomes clear that someone is trying to kill one of them! He will have to figure it out before he loses the only woman he has ever loved.

This book has all the elements that made me a fan of Lynsay Sands! The book is well written, nicely paced and has wonderful characters. It took me a minute to figure out how Annella and Graeme were connected to the “Highland Brides” and then I realized that Annella is next generation of Highland Brides, since she is Ross & Annabel’s daughter from the first book in the series and readers will be delighted to reunite with them in this book. The story classic Sands with her trademark humor, intrigue, and steamy love scenes. The book is filled with mystery, wonderful characters, witty banter, a strong heroine, a sexy highlander hero, great secondary characters, vile villains, a bit of miscommunication and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. I will be honest, I am not sure how I feel about how things ended with the villain, I can’t say more without spoilers, but I did find it unsettling, not undeserved, just not quite what I was expecting. Anyway, it was a for the most part, a fun, spicy read that could be read as a standalone title with no problems and a book that I am happy to recommend to my fellow Lyndsay Sands fans.

4 maybe, 4.5 stars

*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. *